LICSW, Project Respect, 40 Hours (Days)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Utilizing clinical social work techniques and theory to provide consultation, assessment, treatment interventions and advocacy for a diverse population of patients and their families. Utilizes a biopsychosocial approach to healthcare, while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams; to provide case management and crisis intervention for a wide range of complex social factors and determinants of health.

Project RESPECT is an outpatient medical and recovery program for pregnant and post-pregnant persons with a history of substance use disorder (SUD) located within the OBGYN department at Boston Medical Center. Clinical services are provided by a multidisciplinary team that includes medicine, behavioral health, nursing, peer recovery coaching, and case management. The Clinical Social Worker delivers trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and family-centered care to support patients and families across outpatient, inpatient, and community settings. This position is housed in Care Management Social Work and provide clinical social work services to the Project respect clinic.

Position: Project Respect/LICSW

Department: Social Workers

Schedule: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM, Days: Tuesday through Friday

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Completes biopsychosocial assessments and other specialized trauma assessments, utilizing the department’s psychosocial assessment tool as a guideline.

• Provides brief, solution-focused interventions and develops safety plans with patients as needed.

• Provides trauma-informed, strengths-based, crisis interventions on behalf of patients and families as needed.

• Develops rapport and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families.

• Utilize Social Work techniques including motivational interviewing, reflective listening, and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral treatment to support patients and families.

• Utilizes Social Work techniques and theory to assist patients and families in coping with newly diagnosed and or chronic illness to achieve improved functioning and emotional state.

• Ensures that admitted patients (inpatient) and family remain apprised, involved, supported and treated through prescribed clinical relationship through at least weekly contacts and whenever a change in care or plan requires more contact.

• Communicates and collaborates effectively and proactively with multi-disciplinary medical teams and community providers on behalf of patients and families.

• Screens and assesses patients for needs regarding social determinants of health.

• Screens and assesses to identify protective needs relative to child/disabled/child abuse, intimate partner violence, and community violence.

• Reports any and all suspected cases of abuse and neglect and follows up to ensure patient receives timely comprehensive consultations and compliance with legal mandates.

• Provides referrals, counseling, case management and advocacy on behalf of patients and families relative to health issues: substance misuse, disabilities, mental health concerns, homelessness and end of life needs.

• Provides consultation and referrals relative to community resources and a broad range of services, including, but not limited to: healthcare support services, social services, financial assistance, child-care, housing, financial entitlements, clothing, transportation, food pantries, etc.

Therapeutic Interventions & Clinical Assessment

• Engage pregnant and postpartum persons with SUD, with emphasis on equitable access for racially and socially marginalized populations.

• Complete psychosocial assessments and link patients to appropriate levels of treatment and recovery support.

• Explain role and provide clinical support across the outpatient clinic, inpatient units, Emergency Department, and community-based settings when appropriate.

• Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients based on biopsychosocial needs and recovery goals.

• Provide psychoeducation and assist in skill building on variety of topics including but not limited to: healthy relationships, bonding/attachment/attunement, child welfare involvement, trauma, anxiety management, and impulse control/affect regulation

• Utilize motivational interviewing and motivational enhancement strategies to increase engagement in treatment and behavior change.

• Maintain ongoing therapeutic contact with patients and families, including outreach when care plans change or when additional support is needed.

• Assess and respond to sensitive psychosocial concerns related to the perinatal period, including interpersonal violence, exploitation, grief and loss, trauma, and fear of child custody involvement.

• Demonstrate knowledge of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, perinatal behavioral health needs, and recovery-oriented systems of care.

• Support pregnant and parenting patients with complex medical and psychiatric needs using a strengths-based and family-centered approach.

• Assist patients in authoring and implementing Plans of Safe Care (PoSC) that meet CAPTA requirements and highlight protective factors and recovery progress.

​ Care Coordination & Collaboration

• Coordinate referrals with treatment facilities and community partners by identifying availability, eligibility criteria, and required documentation.

• Establish and maintain an open communication with community-based organizations, other appropriate BMC departments, providers and services, and other potential resources.

• Conduct community outreach to provide information on Project RESPECT services and connect with patients always with attention to possible safety risk for self, client, and colleagues. ·

• Communicate regularly with child welfare workers, behavioral health providers, residential treatment facilities, and internal departments to ensure wraparound care.

• Participate in weekly interdisciplinary clinical team meetings and support program improvement, care planning, and case review.

• Provide follow-up phone calls to support patients through referral and engagement processes and assist in overcoming barriers to care.

Documentation & Compliance

• Document assessments, treatment interventions, treatment plans, referrals, and outcomes in the electronic health record per hospital policy.

• Collect state- and grant-required data and maintain accurate tracking of required documentation and deadlines, when applicable.

• Consult and collaborate with healthcare team members to ensure that patient’s medical and psychiatric needs are addressed.

• Participate in weekly clinical team meetings, rounds, and departmental meetings

• Complete clerical responsibilities such as returning phone calls, preparing records, and conducting reminder and follow-up outreach when necessary.

• Adhere to hospital standards of conduct, including patient rights, privacy practices, and infection

DUTIES:

• Utilizes the electronic health record (EPIC) and other IT interfaces as necessary to track and monitor patients.

• Begins assessment for an inpatient within 24 hours of referral and completes within two interviews or within seven working days of referral.

• Begins assessment for an outpatient as soon as patient permits and completes within two interviews.

• Complies with departmental, regulatory, and professional requirements for documentation and data collection. Submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames; when required.

• Maintains patient confidentiality according to hospital policy. Practices professional discretion when determining the inclusion of any patient information into medical record or department clinical record notes.

• Notes in medical record the exclusion of critical patient information and its availability.

• Submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames.

• Documents each patient encounter in the medical record or the Department clinical record concurrently according to Department policies. Specifically, documents ongoing treatment work in the Department clinic records. Each recording shall include date, time, title and signature.

• Participates in social work committees and departmental work groups.

• Provides other administrative and special project assistance as required or assigned.

• Promotes a positive and collaborative work environment supportive of the hospital’s missions and goals.

• Assists management in the operation of a quality department by participating in department programs and complying with department policies and procedures.

• Supports graduate and undergraduate training programs by supervising MSW and BSW students (per assignment).

• Remains knowledgeable of and follows appropriate policies, procedures, and work standards, including but not limited to, policy regarding hours of work, absenteeism, and tardiness.

• Attends hospital required and relevant meetings, training sessions or activities, as assigned.

• Attends scheduled staff meetings and in-service education program offerings with punctuality and consistency.

• Maintains competency in areas of responsibility to ensure quality of care.

• Ensure that MSW licensure remains active by obtaining continuing education units (CEUs) and in good standing.

• All MSW and LCSW full-time social workers receive weekly supervision.

• All full-time social workers receive monthly administrative supervision.

• All full-time social workers are provided with monthly group supervision.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Performs other duties assigned or as necessary.

• Is flexible and adapts to changing departmental needs, including but not limited to, offering assistance to other team members, adjusting assignments, and other functions.

• Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards, guided by the NASW Social Work Code of Ethics, as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the hospital’s goals and mission.

• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Requires Master’s Degree from an accredited school of Social Work

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED :

Requires a Massachusetts Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

EXPERIENCE:

Requires level of knowledge of Social Work process and community resources and agencies in relation to health, illness, and disability, generally acquired through one to two years on-the-job training.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of community resources and agencies that serve the children and families.

• Advanced interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with various healthcare professionals, to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families, and to supervise graduate students.

• Must be comfortable in a fast paced and dynamic work environment (sense of humor is valued).

• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of racial and ethnic populations.

• Bicultural/Bilingual competency a plus.

NursingCM

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), contract increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, earned time cash out, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family wellbeing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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