Residential Social Worker

The Residential Social Worker is accountable to the Treatment Team Leader and participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team in assessment and treatment of residents and their families. The Residential Social Worker provides individual, group and family therapy, case management and coordinates the authorization process for all assigned residents, including the development of a comprehensive discharge plan.

 I. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following is an explanation of the duties of the Residential Social Worker.  It includes the major highlights of the requirements of the position. There should be a clear understanding that the duties outlined below are not all encompassing. Additional responsibilities may be assigned to the Residential Social Worker as required.

 

A. Case Management Responsibilities

1.  Collaboration with Referring and Other Agencies:  Interacts with community agencies via telephone, meetings and written reports to ensure that regulations are met and that resident receives necessary services and funding. Assists families in accessing fiscal, medical, mental health and other services as needed.

2.  Documentation: complies in a timely manner with documentation requirements of referring and/or funding agencies, PCV and Courts when applicable. Complies with communication procedures to inform PCV staff of program status, visitation plans, scheduled appointments and other relevant information.

3.  Visitation:  Arranges visitation for families and guardians according to established Visitation Plan, supervises initial weekday on-campus visits and visits to parents in the hospital or prison as required. Revises visitation plans when appropriate.

4.  Mail:  Supervises the opening of personal mail received by resident, providing support as needed.

5.  Communication:  Communicates with the team regarding resident’s progress toward goals and significant concerns of resident and family.

B. Treatment Responsibilities

1.  Arranges and provides weekly individual therapy and family therapy, unless otherwise specified in the treatment plan.

2.  Maintains relationship with family, keeping them apprised of ongoing progress or problems and communicating their concerns to the team. Assist residents and family in understanding and complying with PCV rules.

3.  Maintains accurate documentation of all sessions and related telephone conversations at least weekly.

4.  Establishes treatment goals with resident and family; reviews and revises on a regular basis.

5.  Provides crisis intervention as needed.

6.  Collaborates with treatment team in interdisciplinary treatment reviews and special meetings as well as informally. Collaborates with Team Leader and Psychiatrist in ongoing implementation of treatment plan.

7.  Facilitates group therapy once per week or as requested by the Coordinator of Therapeutic Activities Program (TAP). Documents group therapy and provides relevant input to treatment team.

8.  Refers residents to hospitals (according to procedure for psychiatric emergency) when requested by supervisor, team leader, psychiatrist or administrator. Facilitates the transfer to hospital and maintains contact, collaborating with hospital team regarding discharge planning.

C.  Therapeutic Holds

The Residential Social Worker will be fully trained in therapeutic hold techniques.  Occasions will arise when the Residential Social Worker will need to initiate or support other staff in the use of therapeutic hold techniques in accordance with the PCVS approved method.

 A. Education and Experience

1.  Master’s Degree from an Accredited Graduate School of Social Work or a related field required.

2.  Clinical and casework experience with adolescents, families and group preferred.

3.  Experience in interdisciplinary team work preferred.

B.  Certificates, Licenses and Registrations

1. PA license eligibility preferred.

2. Driver’s License preferred.

 

 

EEO