Clinical Social Worker

Opening Date:  August 8, 2024

Closing Date:  September 30, 2024

Job Class Code:  5121
Salary:  $26.76 - $37.29/ hr.**

**This is inclusive of a .60¢/ hr. Institutional Stipend

Job duties:

This is professional services work involving the psychosocial assessment and treatment of clients and patients in State agencies, facilities, and community settings.  Work includes performing diagnostic assessments, providing clinical input in client/staff consultations, developing psychosocial treatment plans, conducting research, and instructing students and staff. Work is performed under limited supervision.

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:  (A position may not be assigned all the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all the duties that may be assigned).

• Interviews clients and assesses individual psychosocial needs in order to determine the mental, emotional, and behavioral health status of patients.
• Evaluates, diagnoses, and develops clinical treatment plans and administers appropriate therapy in order to help clients and patients.
• Testifies in court as to patient’s mental health status in order to provide expert clinical testimony.
• Plans, designs, selects, and implements crisis intervention treatment services for specified problems in order to aid and protect clients and patients.
• Confers with other clinical and direct care staff in order to gather information on the mental health status of patients and the effectiveness of treatment plans.
• Coordinates clinical treatment planning with other professionals and community agencies in order to assist in the transitioning of clients and patients to a non clinical environment.
• Refers clients and patients to psychiatrist for medication review and/or assessment in order to ensure that necessary psychotropic medications are prescribed.
• Prepares documents, notes and individual records in order to maintain ongoing clinical files.
• Reviews and evaluates psychological and social work research and literature in order to maintain and enhance professional development.
• Attends professional meetings, seminars and workshops in order to discuss and improve professional clinical skills.
• Consults with students and staff in the methods and techniques of administering case management services in order to enhance student knowledge and staff proficiency.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:  (These are required to successfully perform the work assigned).

• Knowledge of the application of therapeutic modalities to social and educational deviation, mental diseases, and treatment of patients.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of clinical mental health counseling. 
• Knowledge of the fundamental types, challenges, and problems of mental illnesses, abnormalities, developmental disabilities, and personality disorders.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations affecting mental health practices.
• Knowledge of the restrictions identified with all levels of social work licensure.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and privacy laws/ rights of clients, inmates, and/or patients.
• Ability to evaluate psychosocial information and make appropriate diagnosis.
• Ability to interview a wide variety of clients, patients, and staff.
• Ability to deliver mental health services in an institutional environment.
• Ability to communicate and coordinate activities with direct care staff, physicians, and other professionals.
• Ability to assess, diagnose, and treat a variety of mental illnesses.
• Ability to assess and intervene during crisis situations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Masters Degree in Social Work.  Licensure as a Clinical Social Worker as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.

Agency information:

Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center (DDPC) is a 69-bed psychiatric hospital serving the entire State of Maine that provides services for people with severe mental illness.   As a member of a statewide community of care givers, DDPC collaborates with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, their community and personal supports, to provide recovery-oriented, respectful, compassionate, and effective psychiatric care and treatment in the least restrictive, safest, and most therapeutic environment we can create.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

  APPLICATION INFORMATION:

For additional information about this position please contact Jennifer Iverson at 207-561-5425 or emailrebecca.bennett@maine.gov.

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter. To request a paper application, please contact Theresa Peppard at theresa.m.peppard@maine.gov.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing parents and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.