Benefits Social Worker

Title: Benefits Social Worker

State Role Title:49014

Hiring Range: $60790.00 - $83891.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location:Central State Hospital

Agency Website: Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277-bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870 when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property with a scheduled completion date of August 2027.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the persons individual needs recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication evidence-based group and individual therapy peer support psychosocial rehabilitation vocational training preparation for court and treatment for substance use.

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals receiving care at Central State Hospital by joining our Social Work team in this rewarding Benefits Social Worker role. This position plays a vital part in helping patients successfully prepare for discharge by identifying and securing essential benefits and entitlements including Social Security Medicaid Medicare SNAP and other community resources. Working closely with patients social workers families and community agencies you will assist with applications vital records documentation benefit inquiries and coordination of services while ensuring timely person-centered and recovery-oriented addition you will provide therapeutic support through PSR groups supportive counseling patient and family education and other interventions as assigned. This is an excellent opportunity for a compassionate organized professional who values advocacy collaboration recovery and empowering individuals to achieve greater stability and independence in the community.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities Required to Successfully Perform the Job:

Basic knowledge of Social Security Medicaid and Medicare application processes eligibility requirements and related benefits and entitlements.
Basic knowledge of documentation application and resource coordination procedures related to patient benefits and services.
Effective oral and written communication skills when interacting with patients families professionals and other stakeholders.
Basic typing word processing and electronic documentation skills.
Ability to coordinate and facilitate access to appropriate resources and benefits for patients.
Ability to conduct interviews and gather accurate relevant and pertinent information from patients families and collateral sources.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients families social workers and other professionals to support patient needs and discharge planning.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in social work from an accredited college or university.
Experience working with individuals with serious chronic mental illness.
Working knowledge of Social Security Medicaid and Medicare application processes and eligibility requirements.
Valid drivers license required.
Ability to operate a state vehicle and provide transportation to patients as assigned.

Additional Considerations

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working with patients with forensic involvement is preferred.

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.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginias Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you detail all relevant work experience clearly and specifically; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.
You will receive a confirmation of receipt once your application and/or résumé has been successfully submitted. To check the status of your application refer to Your Application in your account.

Applications/résumés will begin to be reviewed within five (5) days of the posting date.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police FBI) local agency checks Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks employment verification and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1 the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers individuals convicted of specific (barrier) crimes or those with pending barrier charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation please notify Human Resources at 1- during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture hair type and protective hairstyles such as braids locks and twists) sex color national origin religion sexual orientation gender identity or expression age veteran status political affiliation disability genetic information and pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We highly encourage veterans active members of the Virginia National Guard and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

Benefits: DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package including your choice of health plans paid life insurance retirement plans 13 paid holidays annual leave family personal leave sick leave employee discount programs and more!

SOEI: Per the Code of Virginia 2.2-3114 persons occupying positions of trust within state government or non-salaried citizens of policy and supervisory boards file a disclosure statement with the Commonwealths Ethics Advisory Council as a condition to assuming office or employment and thereafter shall file such a statement annually on or before February 1. Additionally per Executive order positions of trust include senior-level positions with responsibility affecting legislative policies and rule-making authority or substantive authorization and decision-making regarding policy contracts and procurement audits licensure inspections and investigations and investments or other financial matters. Sections 2.2-3128 through 2.2-3131 of the Code of Virginia require that each employee within a position of trust complete COIA training within two months of their hire date and at least once every two years after the initial training. This position is identified as a position of trust within the agency.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 1-

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths 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 .

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.