Discharge and Community Integration Specialist

Title: Discharge and Community Integration Specialist

State Role Title: 49011

Hiring Range: starting at $55,688 (commensurate based on experience)

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Western State Hospital is seeking a full time Discharge and Community Integration Specialist/Counselor I who will accelerate the discharge process for individuals leaving Western State Hospital (WSH). This position will coordinate with the Treatment Team, Team Social Worker, CSB, family/AR and patient to develop and implement a discharge plan for referred patients from extended care units; actively pursue full engagement of CSB in discharge planning process; assess discharge needs in collaboration with other team members; and conduct assessments, interventions, and planning that reflect the principles of recovery.

The Discharge and Community Integration Specialist will also be responsible for provide education to families and others in assessment, treatment, and discharge planning; alert families to critical events in collaboration with other team members; develop contacts with community providers, passing on information regarding bed availability to Community Transition Specialist and SW staff; provide/coordinate tours as requested to outside partners and interested parties as directed by Facility and SW Director; and provide clinical documentation per requirements and established time frames per by Joint Commission, CMS and SW Department standards, under supervision of unit social worker.

This position is eligible for:

- retirement with cash match
- paid time off
- health, vision, and dental insurance
- life insurance

Minimum Qualifications

- BSW required (graduation from a CSWE accredited undergraduate or graduate social work program)
- professional work experience in the development and implementation of complex discharge plans for adults with serious mental health illness being discharged from a behavioral health facility
- extensive knowledge of residential options and community services for adults with serious mental health illnesses and with co-occurring Substance Abuse and/or Intellectual Disability diagnosis
- extensive knowledge of Community Service work with multiple agencies, treatment teams, and individuals to accelerate discharge process
- skills in interviewing, assessment, and problem solving
- ability to work with multiple agencies, treatment teams, and individuals to accelerate discharge process
- knowledge of Virginia DBHDS DAP funding
- ability to work a flexible schedule within a work week (early or late as needed by variables of discharge plan)
- ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks

Additional Considerations

- experience with electronic health record
- bilingual
- veteran

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The successful applicant must pass a criminal background investigation, drug screening test and employment reference check. The applicant must have the ability to perform at the level of physical demands noted on the Employee Work Profile and the verified ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

DBHDS is a healthcare organization and must comply with the federal CMS Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care staff Vaccination Regulation which requires all employees to be vaccinated or receive an exemption. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. New staff who are not vaccinated for any reason or choose not to disclose their vaccination status, will need to request a medical or religious accommodation. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800- 552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: 540-332-8306

Email: samantha.leep@dbhds.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.