Social Worker - Crisis

Join our team and make a difference in your community as a Social Worker within our Crisis Unit for the Human Services Department.

A career with Sauk County will bring unlimited opportunities to provide support, assistance, and growth to local communities. Sauk County is the ultimate destination where anyone can happily live, work, and play. We are looking for someone who has the desire to support local communities and be a part of the Human Services team.

The purpose of the Social Worker - Crisis position is to assess and establish safety for consumers who present in crisis situations in Sauk County and monitor and coordinate care following psychiatric hospitalizations or crisis related placements. Additionally, to participate in discharge planning and linkage and follow-up, provide guidance and assistance on the emergency detention process, serve as the agency’s court liaison, and assist in developing policy regarding crisis protocol. This position also provides time limited case management services and initiates access for consumers interested in seeking mental health and/or substance abuse services from the Sauk County Department of Human Services.

Sauk County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We actively encourage protected veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for our open positions.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, the company will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application system as a result of your disability. 

To request an accommodation, please contact our Human Resources team at 608-355-4887 or scpersonnel@saukcountywi.gov

Essential Duties

• Provide daytime mobile and/or telephone-based crisis assessment and response. 

• Screen and assess for substance abuse, mental health and psychosocial needs including risk of self-harm, harm to others, vulnerability, and/or need for immediate voluntary or involuntary placement or a referral to the Mental Health and Recovery Services (MHRS) unit or an external service provider. 
• Facilitate involuntary and voluntary admissions to hospitals, crisis stabilization beds, and detoxification facilities. 
• Assist consumers with connecting to medical care and/or other needed resources within the community. 
• Create and update crisis plans and safety plans including intervention information, historical information, prevention efforts and steps to avoid unnecessary out-of-home placement and/or hospitalizations.
• Provide brief intervention and/or supportive counseling to alleviate psychological distress, including follow-up or check-in calls with existing consumers needing additional daytime or after-hours support.
• Provide crisis case management for consumers who present with urgent needs and may be pending entry into Sauk County Human Services Programs or other services in the community. 
• Assist with navigating insurance benefits and eliminating the barriers to mental health or substance use care.
• Consult and coordinate with other community partners (schools, law enforcement, medical hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, crisis staff from other counties, mental health clinics, mental health and substance use professionals, etc.) and Department professionals regarding consumers’ needs in order to facilitate an integrated approach to treatment and a coordinated response to crisis situations, including a smooth facilitation of hand-offs between shifts. 
• Coordinate Chapter 51 involuntary emergency detention admissions and discharge plans.
• Obtain and evaluate information from crisis workers, law enforcement, professionals and medical providers to advise corporation council on mental health, substance use and developmental disability status of clients’ need for treatment and/or services.
• Advocate for agency’s position at Chapter 51 court hearings; inform court regarding client’s eligibility and availability of services; coordinate discharge planning, community-based programs, and outpatient services for clients.
• Arrange and approve contracts for court evaluations, access mental health/substance use requests for court petitions and facilitate court process with corporation council.
• Screen, evaluate and advise clients in need of emergency intervention; act as a liaison with law enforcement when appropriate; advise crisis staff, provide therapeutic and supportive assistance to community, staff, consumers, and/or community members during mental health and/or substance use emergencies.
• Maintain statistics and status of hospitalizations and track compliance with settlement and commitment orders following court intervention.
• Train and support law enforcement officers, medical professionals, agency staff and others on Chapter 51 policies and procedures, on-call guidelines, and response process.
• Attend individual and group crisis supervision. 
• Complete accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record.
• Participate in agency committees, as requested. 
• Participate in program development and evaluation. 
• Participate in ongoing professional training and development.
• And other duties as assigned.

Required Working Hours

Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am until 4:30 pm.  Please note these hours are subject to change and additional hours may be needed or required.  Compensation for additional hours beyond normal working hours are subject to applicable state and federal regulations.

Minimum Training and Education

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or another related field

2 years of related experience

Licenses/Certifications: 

Wisconsin State Social Work License or the ability to obtain within six months of hire

Wisconsin State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License

Any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.