Social Services Specialist

Psychiatric Services SpecialistBegin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.The Indiana Veterans' Home is located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Originally created to care for veterans of the Civil War, the Indiana Veterans' Home welcomed its first resident in 1896. Located on 250+ acres in West Lafayette, IVH is a full-service care facility offering a complete array of services for residents. The mission of the Indiana Veterans' Home is to honor Indiana's veterans and their spouses by providing the highest level of care in a therapeutic home-like environment, enhancing health and yielding optimal quality of life. To do this and meet the unique needs of these heroes and their families, we deliver compassionate and comprehensive skilled care while integrating arts and cultural programming and preserving the rich history of the Home.Salary: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $42,900.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience.A Day in the Life: The essential functions of this role are as follows:Assume responsibility over major component of social services department such as all community programs or all clinical services.Evaluate treatment plan formulation and effectiveness and makes changes within social services as necessary.Discuss and remedy treatment problems associated with individual cases, program or department policy and/or standards of professional discipline.Meet periodically with treatment staff from other disciplines to handle more difficult cases effectively and to coordinate an interdisciplinary approach to treatment.Conducting admissions for new patients, including completion of ROIs, a biopsychosocial assessment with corresponding clinical interview, and admission notes.Informing patients of their Patient Rights and maintaining therapeutic alliance with patients and family/caregivers.Coordinating Monthly Treatment Plan Updates (MTPUs) by scheduling meetings, updating treatment plans for patients (i.e., short-term goals and interventions, outcome update describing progress over past month, treatment plan validation), completing attendance signature page, and facilitating discussion at meeting.Execute treatment through private consultations and provide therapeutic group interventions to patients and document patient participation.Participate in referring patients to therapeutic groups and attending daily morning huddle where each patient is discussed by multidisciplinary team.Works as a liaison facilitating communication between, NDI team and external parties such as gatekeepers, guardians, community, schools, and other public service agencies, explaining services and mission of the agency social work.Make recommendations to the department director regarding the departmental procedure and policy changes, and assist directors in establishing referral relationships and arranging clinical training experiences for students.Completing progress notes at required intervals as well as "real-time" documentation of interactions with patients and external stakeholders associated with the case via Electronic Medical Record.Assist in completing applications for varying patient needs (i.e., obtaining patient identification/documents, SSI/SSDI applications, Medicaid applications, PASSR, etc.).Manage patient logistics, including maintaining approved phone and visit list, facilitating completion of Leave of Absence paperwork, and facilitating sending and receiving of patient mail.Obtaining needed items for the patient, including clothing room requests, item requests from family/guardians, and assisting with patient funds from the NDI account as needed for the canteen.Placing patients on the discharge waitlist or transfer waitlist and completing associated pre-discharge and discharge paperwork.Providing updates about complex patient discharges to PSD to be staffed with the complex discharge committee.The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours, which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.What You'll Need for Success: Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:Thorough knowledge of community social service agencies.Ability to supervise and plan the coordination of social service programs with other related agencies.Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of psychiatric social work including social adjustment and rehabilitation, mental illness, personality development, casework, group counseling work and community placement.Thorough knowledge of laws, rules, regulations and guidelines for the care, treatment and rights of the mentally ill.Working knowledge of role of other treatment disciplines and ability to effectively coordinate interdisciplinary approach to treatment.Working knowledge of administrative and personnel techniques as related to the effective supervision and direction of programs.Ability to assume responsibility of agency-wide social services programs in absence of director.Ability to analyze program needs and effectiveness and to formulate plans for change to more adequately carry out mission of department.Effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.Bachelor Degree in a Human Service related field (i.e. social work, sociology, psychology, human services, or criminal justice) along with experience in the mental health field preferred.Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana: The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plansWellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewardsHealth savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contributionDeferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer matchTwo (2) fully-funded pension plan optionsA robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off 12 paid holidays, 14 on election yearsEducation Reimbursement ProgramGroup life insuranceReferral Bonus programEmployee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visitsQualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness ProgramFree Parking for most positionsFree LinkedIn Learning accessEqual Employment Opportunity: The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.