Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker I, Correctional Facility
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: XP19
Class Code: 9291
Established: 06/15/1993
Revised: --
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under general direction, in a State correctional facility or outpatient clinic in the Department of Corrections, to provide supervision to psychiatric social workers working with and on behalf of mentally, physically or developmentally disabled persons and their relatives and where there is no higher level psychiatric social work supervisor, to plan, organize, and direct the psychiatric social work program; to maintain order and supervise the conduct of inmates; to protect and maintain the safety of persons and property; and to do other related work.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The class of Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker I, Correctional Facility, is the first supervisory level in this series. Employees in the class must be licensed and supervise a staff of licensed Psychiatric Social Workers, Correctional Facility, and clerical personnel and where there is no higher level psychiatric social work supervisor, plan, organize, and direct the psychiatric social work program.
Employees in the next lower class of Psychiatric Social Worker, Correctional Facility, personally carry a caseload requiring the more difficult and responsible casework and clinical services, but normally do not supervise other Psychiatric Social Workers, Correctional Facility.
Employees in the next higher class of Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker II, Correctional Facility, must be licensed and are responsible for directing the psychiatric social work program in addition to providing supervision in facilities where there are at least two subordinate supervising psychiatric social workers.
Typical Tasks
Provides supervision to a psychiatric social work staff; in an institution or clinic for the mentally and emotionally disordered or physically disabled; plans, organizes, and directs the psychiatric social work program; assigns cases and supervises social workers on casework and clinical services problems; maintains adherence to social work policies of the department; conducts staff meetings; trains staff, evaluates staff performance and takes or recommends appropriate action; supervises the training of psychiatric social work students; personally performs or supervises research relating to psychiatric social work; participates in staff conferences; assists in the development of effective social work procedures; works with institutional and headquarters staff for the purpose of improving policies and procedures as they relate to the social work program; establishes and maintains cooperative working relations with community agencies; assists in the development of programs of community planning, education, and consultation in mental and physical health;develops and directs discharge planning and arranges for referral of patients and/or inmates for placement and community resources; addresses groups on the psychiatric social work program; dictates correspondence and prepares reports; maintains order and supervises the conduct of persons committed to the California Department of Corrections; prevents escapes and injury by these persons to themselves, others or to property; maintains security of working areas and work materials; inspects premises and searches inmates for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners. (Applicants who are in the process of securing their license from the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners will be admitted to the examination, but must secure a valid license before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)
(Unlicensed individuals who are recruited from outside the State of California and who qualify for licensure may take the examination and may be appointed for a maximum of one year at which time licensure shall have been obtained or the employment shall be terminated. Additionally, they must take the licensure examination at the earliest possible date after the date of employment.) and Education: Completion of a master's degree program from an accredited school of social work, approved by the Council on Social Work Education or equivalent degree approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310. and Two years of post-licensed or post-certified experience as a clinical social worker meeting the supervisor requirements of Section 4980.40(f)(3) of the Business and Professions Code. and Either I Two years of experience performing the duties of a Psychiatric Social Worker, Correctional Facility, in the California state service.
Or II
Experience: Four years of experience in psychiatric social work, at least one year of which must have been as a social work supervisor and at least two years of which must have been in a child guidance or psychiatric clinic, in a psychiatric outpatient program, in a psychiatric hospital, or in a psychiatric department of a hospital.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles, procedures, techniques, trends and literature of social work with particular reference to psychiatric social work; community organization principles; applying the principles of mental health education; characteristics and social aspects of mental and emotional disturbances and physically disabled; scope and activities of public and private health and welfare agencies; current trends in mental health, public health and public welfare and Federal and State programs in these fields; principles and practices of administrative and clinical supervision, evaluating subordinates work, and giving in-service training; the Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a supervisor's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Ability to: Supervise licensed staff providing psychiatric social work services, including group and individual psychotherapy, case management, and discharge planning; apply the principles of mental and physical health education; supervise others, evaluate their work, and give in-service training; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the work; secure accurate social data, record such data systematically, write clear, accurate and concise reports, and interpret statistical data; give field work training to psychiatric social work interns; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; communicate effectively; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.
Special Personal Characteristics
Empathetic understanding of patients of a State correctional facility; willingness to work in a State correctional facility; tact; emotional stability; patience; alertness; and keenness of observation.
Special Physical Characteristics
Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well- being or that of their fellow employees or that of inmates.
Assignment may include sole responsibility for the supervision of inmates and/or the protection of personal and real property.
