Clinical Social Worker

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides assessment of patient's biopsychosocial functioning: coordinates, develops, and implements individual treatment plans: provides individual, family, and group treatment and education; coordinates discharge services.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Performs biopsychosocial diagnostic assessments by conducting interviews of patients and their families / significant others (if appropriate), contacting outpatients service providers, and investigating histories thru contacting prior agencies, schools, court personnel, and other sources of collateral information in order to identify strengths and needs, and develop a treatment plan which maximizes patient functioning in the least restrictive setting.

2. Completes a comprehensive written biopsychosocial assessment which is maintained in the patient's electronic medical record within five days of admission of the patient according to established MHIS workflow.

3. Coordinates the development of individual treatment plans for patients on caseload in order to ensure that the multidisciplinary team has completed a Comprehensive Treatment Plan according to established criteria and timelines.

4. Coordinates Periodic Reviews for assigned cases, and ensures the Periodic Reviews are completed by the treatment team according to established timeframes and procedures.

5. Provides clinical case management for cases assigned in order to ensure timely and effective delivery and management of services identified on the Comprehensive Treatment Plan.

6. Coordinates pre-discharge arrangements and communications, completes oral and written referrals in an accurate and timely manner to aftercare services including DMH eligibility determinations, referrals for psychosocial rehabilitation services, outpatient therapy and medication, residential services, substance abuse services, medical services, and other agencies as determined by patient need.

7. Provides skilled clinical social work services to patients and their families, utilizing a wide array of intervention modalities including individual, group, and family therapy for the purposes of: changing maladaptive behavior, enhancing client capacity to cope with symptoms of mental illness and / or substance abuse, and improving communication and interactions between the client and his or her primary support system.

8. Provides highly skilled psychoeducation services to patients, their families, and other service providers in order to increase understanding of mental illness, substance abuse, legal factors, and other issues as determined by patient need in order to enhance patient and family knowledge and utilization of rehabilitation processes and resources.

9. Documents interventions in progress notes, group treatment notes, and MHIS assessment documents according to established standards.

10. Leads and/or co-leads at least one inpatient group per week.

11. Documents discharge plan as a component of weekly progress note.

12. Completes financial assessments including assessment of patient capacity to manage funds, patient entitlement and insurance benefits. Refers identified needs to financial benefits coordinator, maintains responsibility to ensure that appropriate applications are made for entitlement benefits.

13. Maintains knowledge of current developments in statutes, case law, and departmental / agency regulations in the fields of social work, mental health, and forensic mental health. Utilizes this knowledge in providing direct services and in collaboration with multidisciplinary care providers.

14. Reviews forensic caseload weekly to ensure that all legal coordination is implemented as needed in a timely manner.

15. May provide supervision and leadership within the Social Work Department and the facility.

16. Participates in agency and department performance improvement / quality improvement activities.

17. Attends seminars, workshops, conferences and staff meetings to maintain professional proficiencies, develop clinical competencies, and maintain professional license.

18. Is able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to the adult and geriatric patient.

19. Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Social Work consistent with professional standards, the goals and objectives of the program and with the policies of Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center and DMH.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE (List knowledge, skills, abilities)

Knowledge of principles and methods of social casework, group work and community organization: principles of theory and practices of psychotherapy and interviewing techniques; Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds; interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress. Ability to evaluate the professional clinical performance of professional social workers, graduate and undergraduate social work students.

QUALIFICATIONS ACQUIRED ON JOB (List knowledge, skills, abilities)

Knowledge of types and availability of public and private residential community based organizations and resources for the treatment and rehabilitation of persons with serious mental illness. Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies governing assigned unit and agency activities.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from an accredited school of social work, and at least two years of successful professional practice in social work following the receipt of an MSW degree.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Work or Licensed Clinical Social Worker required. 

Option for contract-to-hire. 

Free parking available on-site.