Social Services Associate

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Opelousas, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Utilizing proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long-term wellness through a range of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric counseling and treatment options.

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:

1. 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.
2. Plans and conducts individual or group psychoeducational sessions, as assigned by the Director of Social Services.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Performs case management and discharge planning as assigned by the Director of Social Services.
6. Attends treatment team meetings when indicated and reporting on assigned patients and their progress toward treatment goals.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

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.