SOCIAL WORKER 1, PSYCHIATRIC

Definition

Under the limited supervision of a Social Work Supervisor or other supervisory official in the Department of Health or the Department of Human Services, performs varied types of tasks in aiding children and adults to make satisfactory social and emotional adjustments; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Provides individual, group and family therapy.
• Arranges the schedule for mental health clinic sessions within an assigned area.
• Interviews persons referred to the clinic for examination; meets with families, the representatives of public and private agencies, schools, police departments, and other interested persons; obtains significant social, psychological, psychiatric and other data needed for diagnosis and treatment.
• Prepares detailed and accurate histories of patients; incorporates pertinent information from outside agencies.
• Assigns patients to examiners.
• Provides explanations of the services and facilities, offered through the clinic, to patients and their families, social workers, teachers, judges and/or other interested persons.
• Interprets the recommendations of the clinic staff to patients and their families, social workers, teachers, and other interested persons.
• Provides guidance and assistance to persons in need of psychiatric care and counseling.
• Functions as a consultant to private and public welfare agencies and organizations that refer patients to the clinic.
• Provides assistance to patients needing help to make satisfactory adjustments; speaks with the parents and other responsible adults on behalf of pediatric patients.
• Conducts discussions before lay, professional, and other groups to promote the mental health programs of the agency.
• Prepares detailed correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative psychiatric and other related reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Maintains essential records, reports, and files.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Social Work.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in social case work, involving responsibility for gathering and analyzing social information from clients, the determination of their needs, and the planning and administration of treatment plans geared toward the needs of the individual clients.

License

Registration as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of New Jersey. Applicants may be in the process as long as there is evidence of a passing score on licensure exam and that the application has been submitted.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of individual, group and family therapy principles, methods, and objectives.
• Knowledge of mental health theory, practices, procedures, and the methods and principles of mental health social work, and their application to specific situations.
• Knowledge of the problems likely to be encountered in performing social work relevant to mental and emotional rehabilitation, physical welfare, social adjustment, and possible employment of persons who are mentally, emotionally, and/or socially maladjusted.
• Knowledge of the social work literature and terminology and of current mental health problems.
• Ability to provide individual, group and family therapy.
• Ability to comprehend and apply the principles, methods, and objectives of the mental health program of the agency.
• Ability to interview clients and others to obtain significant social, psychological, psychiatric, and other information needed for diagnosis and treatments.
• Ability to prepare history files of patients, incorporating pertinent information from outside agencies.
• Ability to explain clinic services to patients, families, social workers, teachers, and/or other concerned individuals, and to persons in need of psychiatric care and counseling.
• Ability to analyze, comprehend, interpret, and apply basic laws, rules, regulations and procedures to specific situations.
• Ability to assist child and adult patients to make satisfactory adjustments.
• Ability to conduct discussions before lay and professional groups and to participate in conferences.
• Ability to prepare detailed correspondence.
• Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative psychiatric and other related reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.
• Ability to comprehend the economic, social, and emotional problems of persons who are physically and/or emotionally maladjusted, or who are confined in an institution.
• Ability to work effectively with associates, families, individuals and groups.
• Ability to organize assigned social work and related duties and develops effective work methods.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the program.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.