Social Worker: In-Home Family Therapist

Under direction, performs work in providing therapeutic services on cases involving complex social problems and social treatment plans; performs responsible and difficult interventions, directs service programs or provides work direction to paraprofessional staff; and performs related work as assigned.

In-Home Therapist Duties and Responsibilities
* Provides intake and assessments to meet family needs. 
* Meet with the family referred within 7 days.
* Assess family from multiple perspectives, including family functioning, psychological/emotional, social, academic, medical, behavioral, substance abuse, skills, strengths, barriers to economic self-sufficiency, treatment history, and others, and utilizing various assessment instruments.
* Provide to the child and the child’s parent or legal representative their rights and responsibilities under In Home Family services.
* Manages a small caseload of client families, providing services on an intensive basis and utilizing short-term, solution focused treatment strategies to not exceed 90 days unless approved by the referent. 
* Facilitates wraparound team meetings to enlist existing supports in determining and meeting service objectives and to identify additional resources and supports.
* Prepares written service plan, incorporating input from clients, involved service providers, and wraparound team members, and clearly identifying problem areas and needs, strategies, and service objectives.
* Provides direct clinical services to clients a minimum of two contacts per week including individual, family, couple and group therapy, and issue-specific or educational groups (parenting skills, anger management, and substance abuse interventions).
* Documents case activities for both clinical and billing purposes.
* Prepares progress reports on established goals every 30 days.
* Prepares a monthly report on progress and a closing report with further recommendations and referrals at case closure (near the 90-day mark). 
* Collaborates and coordinates with other case involved service providers and professionals, such as attorneys, school personnel, social workers, counselors, and probation with proper release of information established.
* Attends court hearings when families are court-involved and presents testimony and treatment recommendations as requested by attorneys, referral source, the court, or clients.
* Utilizes specific therapeutic interventions to maximize effectiveness of treatment.
* Prepares written Discharge Summary and Plan.
* Provides 20 direct contact hours per week. 
* Provide diagnostic assessments for inmates booked in the jail. 
* Complete a diagnostic assessment for referrals received from
* Comprehensive Re Entry social worker.
* Assess for treatment needs impacting current mental health symptoms of client.
* Make recommendations for mental health services outside of jail and communicate this information with the comprehensive reentry social worker. 
* Attend training/workshops outside agency as applicable/available.
* Complete DHS web-based training when appropriate.
* Participate in annual individual evaluations.
* Answer co-worker questions; consult with co-workers when needed.
* Read routed material in a timely manner.
* Research manual materials; on-line materials.
* Seek help from DHS and as needed.

Additional/Ancillary Duties and Responsibilities
* Attends training/educational sessions, meetings and seminars.
* Provides information on social service programs to the community and special groups.
* Attends and participates in staff meetings.
* Completes DHS web-based training.
* Maintains knowledge of laws, rules and regulations regarding duties.

While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.

Position Requirements
* Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
* Knowledge of the principles/techniques of interviewing and recording in social work and the ability to apply them. 
* Knowledge of individual and group behavior. 
* Knowledge of social casework objectives, principles, and methods. 
* Knowledge of social-economic factors, which promote stable family life and understanding of the elements, which affect family security. 
* Knowledge of the principles of community organization. 
* Knowledge of physical and mental illnesses. 
* Knowledge of social welfare research methods. 
* Knowledge of family systems and dynamics. 
* Knowledge of characterizes/symptoms of children’s and adult’s mental health diagnosis.
* Ability to effectively apply casework knowledge and skills. 
* Ability to work constructively within an agency in the community setting and in effectively utilizing appropriate resources and services. 
* Ability to work constructively in the development and coordination of community resources to meet special needs. 
* Ability to manage time productively. 
* Ability to prioritize caseloads. 
* Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
* Ability to work under limited supervision with general autonomy in determining how objectives are achieved; supervisors generally set operating benchmarks, goals, and objectives.
* Ability to apply procedures, policies and/or precedents requiring analytical ability in adapting standard methods to fit facts and conditions using generally proscribed procedures.
* Ability to maintain effective communication and working relationships with numerous outside and inside contacts to achieve work objectives.
* Exceptional documentation skills and attention to detail.

Education and Experience
* Master’s degree from accredited university/college with a major in Social Work or other approved social services degree approved by DHS Merit System.
* Active Clinical License in the state of Minnesota in Social Work or other approved social services discipline.
* Interviewing skills and the ability to relate and establish meaningful rapport with people are essential skills needed for this position.
* Knowledge of human behavior and the social environment; systems theory, and solution focused interventions.
* Knowledge of local health care systems, community resources, and the mental health continuum of care. 
* Experience safety planning.
* Valid driver’s license.
* Computer skills

Preferred Qualifications:
Working toward independent licensure as a mental health professional.
Previous in-home or therapy experience. 

Equipment and Tools
* Office equipment and technology

Physical and Mental Requirements
This job typically requires: sitting, standing, walking, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, typing, and seeing. There is prolonged exposure to computer keyboards and video screens. This position is generally light-duty and may require the exertion up to 20 pounds of force.
The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office, home, or other in-door environment.  Travel is required to other homes, facilities, meetings training, etc.  There is some exposure to hostile, aggressive, or uncooperative persons.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies Common to All County Positions
* Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures.
* Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
* Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
* Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
* Represent Wadena County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.

Wadena County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer