Social Worker/Mental Health Correctional Counselor( repost 6-23-26)

Plus 10% Differential Pay This is intensive professional social work in the assessment of mentally ill individuals incarcerated at the Bureau of Corrections. An incumbent in this position is responsible for the evaluation and crisis intervention of affected inmates. He/she will be required to perform diagnoses, develop treatment plans, give direction on clinical interventions and ensure appropriate care is given within the facility as well as upon any releases. An employee in this class works under the direction of the Warden. Direction may also be issued by the practicing Psychiatrist or the Medical Director. Duties (Not All Inclusive) Conducts intakes, evaluations and/or assessments for referred inmates. Diagnoses and provides ongoing assessments, treatment planning and psychotherapy for suicidal and/or homicidal intervention and succinct management for high risk inmates. Provides mental health counseling services to mentally ill, behaviorally troubled and developmentally impaired inmates through individual counseling, group sessions, and crisis interventions. Writes reports documenting diagnoses, treatment plans, recommendations and progress reports for inmates retained in the Special Management Unit and/or inmates who are on lock down due to mental health and/or behavioral concerns. Coordinates or links inmates to psychiatric prescribers who require evaluation for medication or reevaluation of current medications. Provides consultation to Correction Officers and healthcare staff regarding inmates' behavior and safety concerns who are experiencing mental health trepidations. Provides mental health crisis intervention techniques for the BOC Personnel. Updates and maintains records of services provided and encounters experienced appropriately and accurately according to facility and agency policies. Maintains confidentiality as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Communicates effectively with mental health, medical, and security staff as well as other entities involved with inmate's continuity of care. Coordinates with attorneys, probation officers, and other professionals for continuity of care outside the limitations of the facility. Minimum Qualifications Master of Social Work (MSW) supplemented by two (2) years of professional experience of providing mental health treatment to groups, including mental health treatment planning, mental health program implementation and/or direct delivery of clinical mental health services. OR A Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling or Behavior Therapy and three (3) years' experience, two (2) of which must be professional experience of providing mental health treatment to groups, including mental health treatment planning, mental health program implementation and/or direct delivery of clinical mental health services. Factor 1 – Knowledge Required by the Position Knowledge of the methods of behavioral health treatment and intervention techniques; knowledge of the method of psychotherapeutic techniques and procedures incorporated with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM); knowledge of Federal and local (state) laws governing a penal facility; knowledge of counseling techniques, developing trends and practices in mental health assessments as well as the legal, ethical and professional rules of conduct governing mental health analyses; general knowledge of biological, behavioral and environmental aspects of suicidal tendencies, emotional stability, mental impairments, developmental challenges or delays and substance abuse; general knowledge of the security issues surrounding inmates' mental health care in a detention setting; skill in staying calm while working with people in crisis; skill in operating and maintaining documents in Microsoft Office Suite application; ability to identify mental health problems and make appropriate recommendations; ability to collect, evaluate and interpret facts critically and to prepare detailed professional reports; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain healthy and professional working relationships with all persons encountered throughout the work day. Factor 2 – Supervisory Controls An employee in this class works under the general direction of the practicing Psychiatrist or the Warden. Special assignments and projects are reviewed by the treatment team, the psychiatrist and/or the warden. If the Psychiatrist is not available, cases are reviewed by the Medical Director. Factor 3 – Guidelines Guidelines include federal and local laws, Bureau of Corrections Rules and Regulations, American Correctional Association (ACA) standards, directives and executive orders. An employee may also use compliance indicators and universal precautions as needed. Factor 4 – Complexity The work involves assessing the mental conditions of incarcerated persons in order to perform crisis intervention as needed. An employee is required to evaluate and to provide therapeutic plans and treatment for affected inmates. He/she has the responsibility to prepare detailed reports of all mental health service delivery needs and recommendations for the handling of issues involving behavior disorders and/or psychological, social or personality conditions of inmates. Factor 5 – Scope and Effect The purpose of the work is to provide assessments and evaluations of incarcerated individuals as is required under the Constitution and BOC's legal obligation therein. The work impacts the level of inmates' mental health in terms of the degree of intervention required in order to attain a normal range of individuals' functionalities. Factor 6 – Personal Contacts Contacts are with offenders/detainees, including their families and friends; medical and correctional personnel; personnel from the courts, public defender's office, police department as well as personnel from off-island penitentiaries. Factor 7 – Purpose of Contacts The purpose of these contacts is to perform assessments of the offenders/detainees' mental stability and in order to diagnose and document any complications that have been psychoanalyzed. Factor 8 – Physical Demands Work is both sedentary as well as active as the incumbent is interacting with affected individuals. Assignments tend to be mentally demanding in the performance of psychoanalysis proceedings. Factor 9 – Work Environment The work is performed within the confines of the Bureau of Correction exposing the incumbent to a relatively hazardous environment. He/she may be required to conduct psychoanalysis proceedings in hot and in cold environments. Incumbent may also be required to travel to other agencies as well as the court for designated hearings/testimonies. #J-18808-Ljbffr Government of the Virgin Islands