Social Work Manager / Forensics

Job Responsibilities

With our Agency's mission to support the recovery of people with mental illnesses, we provide a complete array of medical and support services for children, adults, and families throughout South Carolina.

This position is located at the Department of Mental Health, Inpatient Services Forensics Department, 7901 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC 29203.

As the Social Work Manager, working under limited supervision, you will provide social work services in accordance with SC Code of Laws, SCDMH Policy and FOC Procedure and in keeping with applicable ethical standards. You will perform diverse social work duties for a population consisting of clients with multiple diagnoses and psycho-social problems including criminal charges. You will complete psycho-social assessments, act as the Second Examiner for Competency to Stand Trial, Criminal Responsibility, and Capacity to Conform Evaluations. You will perform testing (ex. MMSE) as needed, collaborate with First Examiners to render an opinion to the court, provide services to adolescent and adult outpatient populations using age-appropriate and cultural competencies.

Responsibilities for this Social Work Manager include but are not limited to:

• Provides case management and monitoring of specialty-legal-status clients to ensure court order compliance to include home visits, site visits, attending treatment team meetings in the community, and telehealth services. Presents cases in FOC treatment plan.

• Monitors and assess specialty-legal-status clients to protect them and the community from dangerous behaviors; collaborates with and advise MHC; monitors patients substance use.

• Meets with inpatient social worker and/or treatment team to assist in discharge planning; attends Forensic Review Board to provide input on final discharge plan.

• Coordinates multiagency services between MHCs and others to ensure that clients' psychosocial needs are met.

• Provides education regarding clients' psychiatric illnesses, their need for treatment, and their legal status through individual and/or group counseling to the client, client-family and mental health providers.

• Coordinates with legal entities, including SCDMH counsel, SCDPPPS, and other law enforcement agencies as needed regarding compliance issues. Provides guidance and assists MHCs and other agencies in retiming specialty-legal-status patients to inpatient care as needed based on psychiatric status and/or compliance with legal mandates.

• Demonstrates knowledge of state laws related to Competency Stand Trial, Criminal Responsibility, and Capacity to Conform.

• Serves as Second Examiner during evaluations.

• Performs suicide risk assessments and other appropriate assessments as needed, within the limits of training and licensure.

• Requests records from relevant agencies, gathers current and historical information about the client through a psychosocial interview with a primary informant; prepares a thorough and accurate assessment. Produces professional documentation that is legible or typed, compact, and has accurate punctuation and grammar.

• Attends all required trainings. Maintains South Carolina Social Work licensure in good standing. Maintains knowledge of and enforce policies and procedures.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

State Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in social work from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body for social work programs, or from a social work program whose standards are at least equivalent to the minimum standards required by the nationally recognized accrediting body approved by the Board.

Agency (Facility) Minimum Requirements: A master's degree in social work from a regionally accredited college or university and licensure with the SC Board of Social Work Examiners at the LMSW or greater level with a minimum of five (5) years' experience working in a professional capacity.

Note: If any Agency Requirements are listed above, applicants must also meet those requirements to be considered for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in forensic settings or with justice-involved clients.

Additional Comments

The selected candidate must have excellent professional judgment and a willingness to complete trainings to stay updated on forensic and legal issues. Ability to communicate effectively with circuit judges, solicitors, defense attorneys, and other members of the legal community. Must have sufficient mastery of the technical aspects of social work to be able to coordinate with multiple, diverse agencies to deliver social work services to a very vulnerable population with multiple psychosocial issues and must do so with minimal supervision. A thorough knowledge of forensic and legal issues is required. Knowledge of substance use disorders and MHC operations is highly valued. Basic computer/technology skills to complete essential job duties. Evolutions are conducted in a secure area, monitored by Public Safety. Able to climb a flight of stairs and to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity Agency. We provide affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex - including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability.

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. Please account for any and all gaps of employment in your application. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of application completion nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave accrual per year

• 15 days sick leave per year

• 13 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs