Social Worker - job 1 of 2

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as intake therapist, performing diagnostic/intake evaluation and determination regarding appropriateness for level of care for assigned patients.
• Serves as primary therapist to assigned caseload as needed. 
• This may be in the following modalities: individual, family and/or group therapy.
• Coordinates activities related to the comprehensive treatment and continuity of care planning for the patients assigned to his/her caseload.
• Performs psychosocial assessments of patients and their families.
• Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and
• contributes to the psychosocial assessment, treatment, and continuity of care
• for identified patients. Requests and coordinates psychiatric consultation when indicated.
• Secures authorization for treatment from patients’ insurers, as indicated.
• Collaborates with appropriate collateral contacts and provides linkages to community resources.
• May provide back-up as requested during the absence of certain co-workers (i.e. Intakes or group therapy)
• Documents treatment in patient’s electronic medical record in compliance with Division, Department, and Hospital Policy.
• Attends Social Work Division, Social Work in Psychiatry and Program staff meetings.
• Participates in activities of the Social Work and Psychiatry Division Psychiatry Division including, but not limited to, ensuring policies and procedures are implemented with regard to professional practice, discharge planning and patient care, timely completion of time reporting and other Hospital or Division forms; Hospital and Division mandatory in-service training programs and UHS reviews.
• Participates in routine committee process of the Social Work Division and facilitates Division and Hospital quality assurance and staff development activities.
• Subscribes to the departmental goal of creating a culturally competent environment by treating patient, families, trainees, and co-workers in a sensitive manner with appropriate attention to cultural differences.
• Participates in available cultural competency events and training appropriate to job duties

Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work (CSWE) Required
• 2-3 years professional social work practice beyond the master's degree, at least one of which must include psychiatric emergency, crisis or outreach work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience and working with adult and/or pediatric and adolescent populations. Preferred
• Prior experience in providing individual or group therapy in an acute clinical setting. Preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge about and ability to provide behavioral health assessments/evaluations and evidenced based interventions.
• Commitment to and routine demonstration of biopsychosocial approach to care of individuals and families.
• Dedication to delivering a team-based integrated model of care
• Demonstrates cultural humility and anti-racism values and works toward ensuring all patients feel welcome. Preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Licensure as a social worker, as defined by the State Board for Social Work, State Education Department, Division of Professional Licensing Services is required. 
• If licensure has not been obtained upon employment, the individual has 18 months within which to obtain it, unless duties will be performed under OMH then minimum of a limited permit (not to exceed 1 year) or NYS Licensure will be required upon employment start. Required