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Psychiatric Social Worker III (#MDDR03)
$50,841.00 Yearly Min / $63,551.00 Yearly Mid / $76,261.00 Yearly Max




Summary Statement

A class incumbent performs lead level professional social work in a psychiatric and/or institutional setting by overseeing and participating in assisting the developmental disabilities, mentally ill or emotionally disturbed to readjust and achieve a social, economic, emotional and physical balance and personal independence compatible with generally accepted norms.

Nature and Scope

A class incumbent reports to an administrative superior and is responsible for supervising either a program unit or professional and paraprofessionals.  An incumbent provides training and technical guidance and consultation to staff to enable them to intervene in crisis situations or directly handles explosive situations.  An incumbent participates in inter-disciplinary team conferences to formulate treatment plan.  In addition, an incumbent provides consultative services to other state and private agencies as well as referring clients/patients to appropriate social service agencies.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

  • Interviews patients, clients, family members and/or persons deemed necessary to obtain the most complete case history.
  • Refers or assigns cases to appropriate unit or staff for effective service delivery.
  • Oversees the operation of a psychiatric social work unit.
  • Provides technical guidance to professional and para-professional staff in a psychiatric setting, and monitors subordinates to assure quality level of services.  Trains and orients new staff.
  • Maintains a caseload, providing therapeutic treatment to clients and families.
  • Provides consultation to staff to enable them to intervene in crisis situations or directly handles explosive situations.
  • Assists in analysis of operations, making recommendations with a view to improving division/department policy and procedures.
  • Participates in inter-disciplinary team conferences to formulate or evaluate a treatment plan.
  • Prepares narrative statistical and court reports, if necessary.  May prepare application forms for benefits or services.
  • Provides consultative services to state and private agencies and may participate in community projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

  • Knowledge of managerial and supervisory practices.
  • Knowledge of child, adolescent and adult psychology.
  • Knowledge of developmental, mental and emotional disorders, and the social, economic, and psychological implications and behavioral impact.
  • Knowledge of methods and techniques of counseling and social casework.
  • Knowledge of family dynamics and reactions to mental illness.
  • Knowledge of availability, role and functions of community resources.
  • Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
  • Skill in evaluating existing programs and making recommendations for improvement to best meet individual and community need.
  • Skill in preparing narrative and statistical reports.
  • Ability to interpret, explain and implement applicable rules and regulations.
  • Ability to deal constructively with aggressiveness, hostility and other emotional attitudes.
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other service agencies, public and private, as well as state and federal regulatory agencies.
  • Ability to apply methods and techniques of counseling and case work.

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Psychiatric Social Worker III
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

  1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Behavioral or Social Science or related field.
  2. Three years experience in case management which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individuals human service needs. 
  3. Three years experience in providing clinical treatment, counseling or determining eligibility for services or benefits as part of a treatment team.
  4. Six months experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
  5. Six months experience in narrative report writing.

CLASS:
MDDR03
EST:
7/1/1987
REV:
FORMERLY JOB CLASS:
79753