Posting number: 26-79810-14
Department: RUHS-Medical Center
Division: Psych Testing
Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICES PRACTITIONER III
Posting type: Open & Promotional
Categories: Professional, Counseling, Professional Education, Medical
SummaryRUHS Photo.pngThe County of Riverside – RUHS Psych Testing Unit is seeking a Social Service Practitioner III to provide direct patient care in a hospital setting, offering clinical assessments, crisis intervention, legal hold processes, care planning, and discharge coordination. The Social Service Practitioner III will also assist patients with accessing community resources and funding options, maintain accurate and timely documentation, and utilize basic computer applications such as Microsoft Excel and Word. This position requires effective collaboration within a multidisciplinary team and strong communication with patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Candidates must possess a master’s degree in social or behavioral sciences, social/human services, and must be fully licensed or hold an associate license in their field of expertise.
The Social Service Practitioner III conducts comprehensive mental health assessments, initiates and completes legal holds and advisements in accordance with state regulations, and develops individualized care plans while actively participating in team-based discussions. Additionally, the Social Service Practitioner III will provide counseling and support to patients and families, coordinate discharge planning to ensure safe transitions of care, and assist patients in accessing community resources and funding options. The role also requires maintaining accurate and timely clinical documentation, collaborating closely with hospital staff to promote a safe and supportive environment, and utilizing Microsoft Excel, Word, and basic computer applications for documentation and reporting.
Schedule: 5 days with an 8 hour shift (5/8hr) - Wednesday - Sunday, 10:30 AM - 7:00 PMThe Most Competitive Candidates will possess:
- Current license or associate license in a mental health discipline (e.g., A/LCSW, A/LMFT, A/LPCC).
- Experience in mental health care, including legal holds and involuntary detention procedures.
- Strong clinical judgment and crisis intervention skills.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and team collaboration abilities.
- Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office and general computer literacy.
Required Work Environment:
- Hospital-based setting with regular patient and staff interaction.
- Fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment requiring compassion, professionalism, and adaptability.
Meet the Team!
Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is a leading provider of mental health and substance use services in Riverside County. With a dedicated team of professionals, including psychiatrists, clinicians, peer specialists, and paraprofessionals, RUHS-BH serves over 45,000 individuals annually.
We are committed to delivering culturally competent, evidence-based care across all ages. Our programs, including Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, and the Public Guardian’s Office, address the diverse needs of our community.
At RUHS Behavioral Health, you’ll join a compassionate, innovative team where your skills make a real difference. We offer opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.
If you’re passionate about advancing your career while improving mental health in Riverside County, RUHS Behavioral Health is the place for you!
For more information, please visit www.ruhealth.org/behavioral-health
Examples of duties
• Carry a caseload of the more difficult types of social service cases requiring a high degree of technical competence where social or family problems or environmental forces adversely affect family life; assess client's problems and develop treatment plans; lead self-care, well-being and educational courses to community participants and/or staff.
• Complete case studies for the purpose of assessing problems and determining appropriate types and methods of treatment; develop intensive long or short-term treatment plans to improve or restore individual or family functioning.
• Act in a lead capacity for a small group of Social Services Practitioners or services employees, such as aides and volunteers.
• Act as a casework consultant to staff members without professional training.
• Function at a highly skilled level in such areas as counseling, protective services, medical social work, family services, community organization, and adoptive services.
• Take part in staff development programs to increase knowledge of the social work processes and augment personal technical competence.
• Provide therapeutic marital, family interrelationship and adoptive parent counseling.
• Investigate and provide services to clients where their physical or emotional welfare is involved; work with cases involving neglect, abuse, emotional or behavioral problems, physical/mental disabilities, or other health conditions affecting a client's personality, family relationships, child, or in-home care arrangements.
• Provide services and counseling in cases of desertion or impending loss of a spouse, child, or caretaker.
• Interpret public social service rules, regulations and policies to clients and the public.
• Maintain casework records and prepare reports and correspondences.
• Frequently conduct field visits, away from the home office, which may include long distances in order to carry out service plans, observe and assess client needs, and provide information and social work services.
• Assess client family environment in order to determine potential or imminent risk to the safety of children/disabled adults/elderly residing in the household; when safety needs dictate, remove child/ disabled adults/elderly from home and transport them, complying with all safety regulations, including the use of age appropriate California safety mandated equipment, when assisting with initial removal or facilitating a placement change, which may include managing/lifting the client's necessary assistive equipment (e.g., wheelchair).
• Maintain up-to-date electronic records of all aspects of client case management in a centralized database.
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE LISTED DUTIES, ASSIGNMENTS WITHIN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES MAY PERFORM THE FOLLOWING:
• Perform studies of patients and their families to determine the nature of their problems; learn to develop the most effective treatment methods and treatment plans according to need.
• Interview patients, families and friends to obtain information for case records.
• Assess the psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and initiate appropriate interaction accordingly.
• Coordinate and consult with medical and other staff members and with outside agencies regarding available resources.
• Learn to interpret significant emotional, social and economic factors to healthcare team members.
• Participate in seminars of other types of training programs to enhance social work capabilities; may participate in group therapy.
• Assist in conducting training of social service aspects of medical treatment for healthcare personnel outside of the social services unit.
• Under close supervision, provide social casework services to help patients and their families adjust to social, emotional and financial problems created by illness or disability.
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE LISTED DUTIES, ASSIGNMENTS WITHIN THE CHILD LIFE PROGRAM MAY PERFORM THE FOLLOWING:
• Plan, implement, and evaluate the Child Life Program.
POSITIONS ASSIGNED TO A HEALTHCARE FACILITY
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in social or behavioral sciences, social/human services.
ALL OPTIONS
Knowledge of: Principles and techniques of social casework and of the function of public social service agencies; individual and group behavior with emphasis on normal growth, development and family relationships; social casework objectives, principles and methods; socioeconomic and cultural factors which promote stable family life, and an understanding of the factors that affect family security; physical and mental illnesses and their impact on personality; community organizations and the services they provide; laws, rules and regulations governing the operation of public social services agencies; basic computer skills.
Ability to: Establish rapport with clients and their families; effectively apply casework knowledge and skills; apply the principles of general and/or child psychology and family relationships; evaluate personal and psychological factors in the client and/or family's situation; work constructively within an agency and community setting; effectively utilize appropriate resources and services; provide consultation to others; demonstrate skill in planning and analysis; control personal bias and apply social work ethics; maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public; provide consultation to and assist in the professional development of less experienced Social Services Practitioners; input and retrieve data from computerized system.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is necessary at the time of hire and must be maintained throughout employment. County vehicles may be available but are not guaranteed. Employees may be required to use their own vehicle for field travel. Mileage reimbursement is available when using a personal vehicle for County business.
Incumbents may be required to participate in a mandatory on-call schedule.
Possession of a valid certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support/Cardio-Respiratory Resuscitation (BCLS/CPR) may be required.
Supplemental informationCounty of Riverside Human Resources Contact:
For more information regarding this position, please contact the recruiter, Jammie Smith, at jasmith@rivco.org or (951) 955-6965. Please allow one-to-two business days for a response to general inquiries.