Social Services Associate PRN

Oceans Healthcare; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Healthcare in Abilene, TX seeks a Social Services Associate to assist with psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, and psychoeducational groups under the guidance of the Director of Social Services. The role focuses on coordinating patient resources and ensuring culturally sensitive care.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, with preferred experience in mental health populations and training in BLS de-escalation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field.
• Experience with mentally ill populations is preferred.
• BLS certification and ability to de-escalate situations may be required.
• Must demonstrate ethical care and respect for patient dignity.

Responsibilities

• Assist in gathering information for psychosocial assessments and discharge planning.
• Plan and conduct psychoeducational sessions under supervision.
• Coordinate patient resources and support systems with the treatment team.
• Review multidisciplinary assessments and contribute to treatment integration.
• Participate in care planning and treatment team meetings as needed.

Skills

Assessment skills

Communication skills

Time management

Cultural sensitivity

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Experience with mental health population

Job description

The Social Services Associate assists in the gathering of information for the Psychosocial Assessment, the patients’ resources and support systems, treatment planning needs and discharge planning as well as providing Psychoeducational Groups under the supervision/guidance of the Director of Social Services to further patient/family/group progress in treatment according to the Joint Commission, Federal and State Regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and PI standards.

Essential Functions:

• Provides social service support, education and resources for patients and families, under the supervision/guidance of the Director of Social Services, in accordance with accepted standards in a timely fashion as outlined by Joint Commission, Federal and State Regulations, Oceans Behavioral Hospital's Mission, policies and procedures and PI Standards.
• Plans and conducts individual or group psychoeducational sessions, as assigned by the Director of Social Services.
• Gathers information for the completion of Comprehensive Integrated Assessment - (Biopsychosocial Assessment) as assigned by Director of Social Services within 72 hours (or 3 sessions) of admission for review and interpretation by a Licensed Therapist, who will co-sign all Psychosocial Assessments.
• Reviews all Multidisciplinary assessments and provides information for the Multidisciplinary Treatment Integration under the supervision of the Director of Social Services and attending physician within 72 hours of admission.
• Performs case management and discharge planning as assigned by the Director of Social Services.
• Attends treatment team meetings when indicated and reporting on assigned patients and their progress toward treatment goals.
• Surveys and identifies age/disability/cultural needs; Identifies safety, psychosocial, special mobility and special equipment needs; and communicates in an age/disability/culturally sensitive related manner to patients and their families.
• Conducts care of patients and discharge planning in accordance with age/disability/cultural needs and involves members of the patient's support system in decision making as appropriate.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

Educational / Experience Requirements:

• At a minimum, will hold a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology or a related field, and preferably have one year experience in working with the mentally ill population: Adolescent, Adults, and Geriatrics.
• An internship within the chemical dependency field is also acceptable. (Any population which is assigned will be based on a mentorship training system if no experience has been had with that population.)

Qualifications / Skills:

• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to age-related disability-related needs of the patients served on assignment.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development appropriate to the patient population served.
• Must be able to assess and interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s needs and provide the appropriate care, including age related care/disability/cultural sensitivity related care to adolescent, chronically mentally ill, adult, geriatric, chemically dependent, and dually diagnosed patient populations.
• Must demonstrate basic knowledge of mental illness and chemical dependency and the family dynamics which accompany them.
• Must have basic knowledge of chronic mental illness.
• Must have excellent communication skills related to age specific patient needs.
• Must be able to demonstrate assessment, supportive communication and d/c planning skills.
• Must be able to pass the general age/disability post-test. Must be versatile, flexible, and able to perform in stressful situations.
• Must have good time and organizational skills.
• Must be capable of coordinating multi-faceted workload.
• Must be able to work with an array of mental/physical disabled persons.
• Must deliver patient services in an ethical manner which promotes respect for the patient and enhances the patient's dignity and satisfaction; Demonstrates the ability to assess and interpret a patient's response to treatment in age/disability/culturally sensitive specific manner.
• Must successfully complete BLS certification and an Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program.

Work Environment:

Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.