Caseworker - BHDS

Compensation Range:

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• This is a full-time case management position in the Adult Administrative Mental Health Unit of the Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Agency.

• This employee works with adults who have a serious mental illness. 

• The employee will collaborate with the consumer to identify strengths, needs, and consumer goals and will develop service plans to reflect those.

• The employee will exercise considerable independent judgment and decision-making in facilitating the person's use of community resources.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This position reports directly to their assigned supervisor. 

• Work is reviewed by the assigned supervisor through regularly scheduled supervisions.

• Work is also reviewed through observations both within the office and in the field, as well as a review of documentation, provider and consumer feedback and contacts, satisfaction surveys, unit meetings, and others as identified by the supervisor as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Interview and assess needs and strengths of consumers.

• Refer, arrange, and coordinate appropriate services and resources for the consumer within the community.

• Develop, update and oversee an annual goal-oriented service plan for all consumers.

• Develop and sustain relationships between the consumer, family members, and/or significant others.

• Complete numerous paperwork demands accurately and on time.

• Coordinate and attend meetings along with consumers and families as requested.

• Develop and maintain accurate and up-to-date consumer records, including case notes, service plans, etc.

• Monitor consumer progress within the services and keep necessary individuals informed as part of continuity of care.

• Continually update knowledge of both formal and informal resources offered in the community to better serve the consumers.

• Develop and write reports and correspondence.

• Advocate on behalf of consumers and their families.

• Arrange for financial liability assessments as needed on an annual basis.

• Participate in staff meetings and training sessions.

• Facilitate voluntary and involuntary commitments, if necessary, in collaboration with Crisis Intervention staff.

• Assist other staff, if necessary, during emergency situations with consumers.

• Knowledgeable regarding Recovery and CSP principles and applies this knowledge in the case management of the population served.

• Establish and maintain a collaborative network of relationships both internal and external to the agency, including local adult serving agencies, providers, insurances, managed care companies and local community systems.

• Adherence to all County and Agency policies and procedures

• Routinely provides own transportation to and from consumers’ homes, meetings, outreach visits, and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• All other duties as assigned by the Unit Supervisor/Unit director/Deputy Director of Mental Health services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Six months of experience as a Caseworker Trainee; or,

• Successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern (BHDS or CYA) program; or,

• A bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; or,

• A bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, human services or other related social sciences and one year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency; or,

• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, human services, or other related social sciences.     

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.

• Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources and the recognition of their impact on the growth and development of people.

• Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and ways of working effectively with adults and children who have social, economic, emotional, or health problems.

• Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of program interpretation and community organization.

• Knowledge of social welfare policy and law as they relate to agency function and purpose and societal structures.

• Ability to work effectively with people and aid them to grow in the constructive use of their potential in adjusting to their specific problems, strengths and needs.

• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and to work with adults and children who are physically challenged, emotionally troubled, or economically disadvantaged.

• Ability to conduct individual and family interviews and to use them to identify individual and family problems.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, other staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the general public.

• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner.

• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.

• Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.

• Ability to adequately express ideas orally and in writing.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Required prior to active employment: Pennsylvania Childline Child Abuse History Clearance, Acceptable-PA State Police Criminal Record Clearance, Acceptable FBI fingerprint clearance

• Acceptable Drug screening

• Clearances no more than one year old at time of employment will be accepted.

• PA Driver's License and acceptable driving history      

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Caseworker must be able to work in a busy and open environment. 

• Must be able to travel to and from client locations. 

• This position requires the use of a laptop computer in the field and a laptop with monitor and keyboard in the office. 

• This job also requires a person to be able to sit at family meetings for extended periods of time.

• This position has been identified as having the potential exposure to Hepatitis B. 

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.