Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

 

Under supervision from the Director of BH, provides a wide range of psychosocial evaluation/assessment, diagnostic, counseling therapy, crisis intervention, and/or case management services in an integrated primary care setting located in a community health center. Works collaboratively with other mental health and medical providers and trainees engaged in related therapeutic/patient care activities.

Major responsibilities:

• Provides counseling, therapy, and/or psychotherapy to clients and families as appropriate to the position; prepares treatment plans, discharge plans, and follow-up care programs; provides therapeutic crisis intervention and urgent services as required.
• Collects data about patients through interview, case history, psychological tests, and/or observational techniques; evaluates data to identify causes of problems and to determine proper therapeutic approach or referral to other specialists.
• Consults with mental health and medical staffs, as appropriate, in the performance of therapeutic and/or casework; refers clients to appropriate service agencies as required.
• Provides and/or arranges for therapeutic interventions as appropriate for patients or clients in a crisis condition and for those with serious Mental Health/Substance Abuse problems.
• Refers clients to appropriate social service agencies for financial assistance and other required services; may visit patients and families in their homes to provide counseling and outreach services.
• Follows up to determine the reliability of treatment used; changes method and degree of therapy when indicated.
• Establishes and maintains case files, referrals, and other related documents for the treatment of clients; prepares related documentation for civil commitment hearings or other legal proceedings; keeps abreast of patient data to ensure appropriate treatment and care are delivered.
• Consults with other legal and treatment agencies and individuals in relation to patient/client records, rights, and responsibilities.
• Plans and facilitates community outreach and education activities, as appropriate to the position; may serve as a liaison and representative to community organizations and schools.
• Provides clinical supervision to lower-level therapists and/or graduate social work students/interns, as appropriate, and/or consulting services to other patient care professionals.
• As appropriate to the position, performs various administrative functions such as monitoring budgets and preparing reports and correspondence; may participate in a variety of research projects, and may propose changes to program policies and procedures.
• May provide formal teaching, consultation, and in-service training to relevant professionals in immediate and proper handling of and/or referral of a variety of matters.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as required.
• Demonstrate understanding and commitment to the health center's mission.
• Demonstrate understanding and commitment to the established CHC Values and Standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Counseling or Social Work
• Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW) or equivalent or licensure pending, as documented by temporary license.

• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical social work and mental health counseling principles, methods, procedures, and standards.
• Familiarity with psychological testing.
• Interviewing and psychological/developmental evaluation skills.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records.
• Knowledge of community medical diagnostic and patient care services in area of medical expertise.
• Knowledge of clinical operations and procedures.
• Clinical experience REQUIRED
• Knowledge of community mental health resources and willingness to reach out to existing resources.
• Ability to maintain emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses.
• Bilingual/Trilingual (ENG/SPANISH/PORTUGUESE) Preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to evaluate the progress of therapeutic programs and to make individual modifications.
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of social and vocational rehabilitation as they relate to mental health clinical practices.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical issues related to patients' rights.
• Ability to lead and train staff and/or students.

 

Qualifications