Participates actively in the treatment process, attending treatment team meetings, and contributing in the development and revision of individual's under treatment with their therapeutic plan. Intreprets critical information about the individual's social history and current social situation to the team. Records community needs of individuals at the meetings, and jointly works with the team in making recommendations for treatment and discharge planning. Completes level of care (LOCUS) Assessments at the following intervals: Baseline, Annual, Semi-Annual and upon Discharge. Coordinates planned and unplanned discharges from the unit and serves as the point of contact between the community liaison with the catchment area and the unit, arranges an after care plan for unit based discharges, notifies significant others of discharge plans, arranges for transportation when necessary, and completes necessary discharge documentation and discharge notes. Develops and maintains expertise regarding community resources to prepare individuals for discharge. Educates treatment teams regarding available community resources and their relationship to discharge planning. Conducts individual counseling and group psychotherapy with chronically mentally ill persons, including geriatric individuals. Assesses level of functioning with regard to social and community life skills necessary for discharge to the community. Documents all social services treatment and unit discharge activities in the clinical record. Completes weekly and monthly progress notes, psychosocial histories, discharge notes for unit based discharges, admission and movement records, and event notes as appropriate. Updates the accuracy of face sheets, including information on changes of addresses and phone numbers, guardians and guardian advocates, 1st representatives, and other significant persons necessary to ensure quality continuity of care. Interviews/contacts family members of individual's being served to obtain data related to personal, social, and emotional history. Maintains regular contact with family or significant others through treatment team meetings, telephone contacts, and letters in order to provide updates on the individual's condition and current discharge plans. Counsels with family about sensitive situations involving individuals related to their mental and physical problems. Coordinates day passes and leave of absences with treatment team, legal department, and the ARC Committee as required. Coordinates referrals for prosthetic devices and medical equipment as necessary. Assists with habeas corpus requests and court appearances as necessary. Will be available to assist other staff with transportation on recreational outings, escort individuals to appointments for prosthetic devices or hospital wide celebrations, and transport individuals to the community for discharge readiness apppointments or actual discharge placement. Performs other related duties as assigned and assists in training new Social Services Counselors. Performs related duties as assigned. Salary is commensurate with experience. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position: Knowledge of counseling techniques and practices. Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work, nursing, education or counseling. Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data. Ability to develop treatment or rehabilitation programs. Ability to develop guidelines and procedures for the delivery of social services. Ability to develop and present staff development and training programs. Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. Ability to follow through on all phases of the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of clients. Ability to provide casework services to clients. Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, education or nursing and three years of professional experience in providing social work, health education, nursing or counseling services; or A master's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, education or nursing and two years of professional experience as described above. Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety. Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment. Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed. Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications. It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of responding to qualifying questions and entering work history. If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287. Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits. For a more complete list of benefits, visit DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired. SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the SSS website: RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement. BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F. S., and Chapter 408, F. S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies. #SAMH -