PSYCHIATRIC
SOCIAL WORKER 2511
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
An employee in this class performs professional
psychiatric casework and/or psychotherapy, which can be performed in a mental
hygiene outpatient clinic, emergency service team, or other appropriate
setting. Knowledge of specialized
casework techniques such as individual, group, family, play therapy and case
management is required to accomplish the goal of rehabilitation and adjustment of
mentally ill and/or chemically dependent persons. The work is concerned primarily with patients
having serious mental, emotional and behavior problems and/or chemically
dependent persons who therefore present special adjustment problems. The incumbent works closely with
psychiatrists, psychologists and other health professionals in treatment
planning, but is expected to work with limited supervision, exercising a
considerable amount of judgment and initiative, especially in determining the
appropriateness of the psychiatric services for applicants at intake. Supervision is received from a professional
supervisor through review of case records and reports, and individual and staff
conferences. Employees in this class who provide clinical services must be
supervised by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Does related work as
required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Interviews
patients, their relatives and other interested persons;
Evaluates
applicant's needs during intake and refers applicants whose needs cannot be met
by the program to the proper agency;
Provides
direct psychotherapy to patients, including emergency services;
Determines
applicant's ability to pay for psychiatric services, discusses fees with
applicant and sets fees at proper level;
Participates
in conferences with psychiatrists, psychologists and other professionals to
discuss diagnoses and treatment of patients;
Performs
casework and case management services with patients, relatives and collateral
persons;
Works
with community, professional and civic organizations toward the development of
a better mental health program;
Prepares
case records;
May
provide outreach services, including individual, youth and family counseling,
in non-clinical settings.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thorough knowledge of the principles, methods and
practices of psychiatric social work; thorough knowledge of the functioning of
mental hygiene out-patient services; thorough knowledge of the social and
psychological aspects of mental disease, mental retardation, developmental
disabilities, chemical dependency and of modern treatment methods; good
knowledge of community resources and how to use them effectively; ability to
develop and maintain cooperative relationships with patients, colleagues,
patients' families, physicians and social agencies; ability to prepare
comprehensive case work and treatment records; ability to express oneself
clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to analyze information
and reach sound conclusions; patience; good judgment; physical condition
commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
OPEN
COMPETITIVE
Graduation
from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY
State with a Master's Degree in Social Work and certification as Licensed
Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by the
New York State Department of Education.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Certification as Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or
a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by the New York State Department of
Education must be maintained throughout employment in this title.
At the
time of appointment, and during employment in this title, employees will be
required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York
State or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet the transportation needs
of the job.
R 9/22/22
Competitive