• Complete a comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment of patients being admitted for inpatient psychiatric treatment.
• Interview the patient assuring that assessment data is as reliable as possible, that the patient is engaged in a supportive and educative manner, that confidentiality is maximized, and that symptoms and behaviors are thoroughly evaluated and handled in a sensitive and safe manner.
• Contact/ engage parents/ family members, significant others, guardians, and referring agency personnel to interview and obtain relevant collateral and supporting information to enhance the understanding and dynamics of the patient's situation.
• Complete the Colorado Client Assessment Record (CCAR) and the bio-psychosocial component of the hospital's Integrated Initial Assessment document. (This includes the development of a clinical formulation which identifies risk-issues, relevant factors in the patient's history and current situation, strengths and potentials, and then interprets and integrates the information to provide direction to the staff regarding treatment interventions, goals and objectives, and the identification of options and recommendations regarding the patient's plan for discharge and aftercare services.)
• Collaborate with and direction of treatment team staff regarding assessment information to address unique cases and cases that necessitates a reduction of risk issues related to hospital objectives including the use of seclusion and restraint, patient assault, and elopement.
• Social Worker coordinates discharge planning, through evaluation and assessment of patient's needs as they relate to available community resources and exploring and mobilizing those resources. Is the liaison between hospital and community agencies. 
• Identifies and chooses appropriate community placements and treatment programs. 
• Provides case management by making appropriate referrals to community agencies, networking and directing reciprocal relationships with community agencies, Social Security, Social Services, Court system, jails, DOC, probation, parole, DYC, attorneys, CMHC, CCB, nursing, boarding, and group homes, individuals and families. 
• Attend meetings with the above mentioned agencies. 
• Participates in the direction and formulation of treatment plans and reviews.
• Document the plan and any issues related to the plan and revise/modify the plan according to the ongoing reassessment of the patient's progress and continuing need for treatment.
• Assesses patient and family education needs and identifies readiness to learn, motivation, strengths and barriers to the learning process.
• Provide ongoing psycho/social education that is relevant to individual, social, environmental factors, medical regimen, to enhance mental health growth and stability.
• Conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using social work theories and concepts relevant to the needs and pathology of patients and their families, considering their age, ethnic, cultural, religious and sexual issues to affect behavioral change and the reduction of symptoms in the patient and the family.
• Assess and document the effectiveness of specific interventions towards meeting the goals and objectives of treatment.
• Develop a therapeutic alliance with the patient and family to secure their understanding and participation in the treatment process.
• Provide information and education to them and/or community providers about mental illness and treatment and/or refer families to relevant resources to enhance their understanding of the patient's ongoing concerns and needs.
• Participates in orientation, educational workshops, social work discipline meetings, and training to assure and maintain competency in the provision of social work and treatment services.
• Participates in and clinical and administrative supervision to enhance, ensure, and confirm skills, knowledge, competency, and understanding of assigned cases and team, discipline, and hospital processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
Current, valid licensure as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) from the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners. *(Certification/Licensure must be attached to application)* 

~AND~
One (1) year of experience as a licensed clinical social worker.

Substitutions:
None.

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies:

• Master's degree, or equivalent, in Social Work (MSW).
• Knowledge of casework methods, techniques, and their applications to work problems.
• Knowledge of the principles of human growth and behavior, basic sociological and psychological treatment and therapy practices.
• Knowledge of interviewing skills and techniques.
• Ability to express ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to use interviewing skills and techniques effectively.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.

Conditions of Employment:

• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges.
• Current and Valid Colorado Driver's License. 
• Travel to include taking patients to discharge destinations around the state and country.
• Successfully pass a TB (Tuberculosis Test) 
• Evening and/or weekend treatment services may be required.
• Position will be paid biweekly. 
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact joel.drahos@state.co.us

About Us: 

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Planwww.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.