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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER 1

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PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER 1
Class Code: 352I
Category: Social Services


Definition

Performs entrance level professional psychiatric social work with mentally and emotionally disturbed patients or inmates in institution.

Typical Work

Performs psychiatric social work in mental hospital, juvenile training school, or correctional institution; provides casework and group work treatment for patients;

Prepares social psychiatric case histories for diagnostic and treatment purposes;

Participates in diagnostic formulations: assists medical staff in evaluating patients readiness for release;

Counsels patients, relatives, employers, and others, on matters related to patient's welfare; evaluates and makes recommendations regarding foster homes;

Explains social aspects of mental health to relatives, interested persons, and community agencies.

Conducts individual and group interviews; evaluates patients' behavior to insure community protection;

Prepares verbal and written reports,

Participates in meetings, committees, and conferences;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles and practices of social work; principles and characteristics of mental and emotional illness, current social and economic problems; interviewing techniques; individual and group behavior.

Ability to: conduct therapeutic group and individual interviews; analyze and draw conclusions from case records and interviews; work cooperatively with professional and nonprofessional staff: speak and write clearly and effectively.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Desirable Qualifications

A Master's degree from approved school of social work. 

Note: A degree in Social Work must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Class Specification History

New class code: (formerly 35500) effective July 1, 2007.
Revises desirable qualifications, effective December 23, 2011.
Salary adjustment adopted 6/30/2015, effective 7/1/2015.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/30/2017, effective 7/1/2017.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.