MORE / LESSDESCRIPTION
The Clinical Social Worker will serve as part of a community-based Mobile Health Services team with the goal of engaging homeless, mentally ill drug users in primary medical and mental health care. The target population includes HIV-positive and high risk individuals with mental health and or substance use disorders who are out of care. The CSW will conduct field based assessment, diagnosis, cognitive-behavioral and trauma-informed therapy, and assessment-based treatment plans.
Essential Job Functions
The following duties are mandatory requirements of the job:
- Work as part of a Mobile Health Services Team to engage clients in appropriate medical and mental health services.
- Clinician services include initial assessment/evaluation, treatment planning, crisis intervention, therapy linkage to psychiatric services and medication evaluation monitoring and follow-up; clinical management and care coordination to support mental health and medical treatment retention.
- Therapist utilizes the philosophy and principles of harm reduction to assist people to reduce symptom distress, increase independent functioning, improve well-being and to gain access to and to retain health care and supportive services.
- Provides brief interventions and trauma-informed therapy. Engages with participants by providing mobile-unit based clinical services as required including (but not limited to):Make referrals as necessary to HCV/HIV primary care, mental health services, case management, housing services, and benefits.
- mental health treatment;
- crisis intervention;
- assessments for benefit determinations by the New York State Office of Disability and Social Security Supplementary Income evaluations;
- interdisciplinary collaboration;
- integrated coordination of providers and services.
- advocacy for adequate social, economic, and environmental supports and services
- Maintain a strong knowledge of HIV/AIDS, including treatment information and developments that affect clients’ access to care.
- Prepare progress notes, conduct referrals, and follow up as necessary; responsible for maintaining program service log.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary team including medical and dental providers, outreach workers, case managers, and patient navigators to ensure client access to supportive services.
Other Responsibilities
The following duties are to be performed as assigned by the supervisor:
- Assist director as needed with inputs to contract targets, program measurements and outcomes, policies and procedures, and other program or clinical matters as requested to support department and division requirements.
- Prepares quantitative and narrative monthly reports of the program’s progress in meeting targets.
Education and Certification
- Required: Master’s degree in clinical social work. Three years experience in clinical social work (psychotherapy) direct practice with marginalized populations.
- Credentials: LCSW, NY State or LCSW eligible (e.g., NY State Limited Permit) or LMSW under qualified supervision.
- Knowledge of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and other blood borne viral pathogens (Hepatitis C).
- Knowledge of the drivers of substance use and dependence.
- Knowledge of motivational interviewing and the stages of change.
- Desired: Undergraduate degree, Psychology. Background in biological/health sciences. Technological literacy and quantitative competencies.
Special Skills and Knowledge
In addition to the above-listed job responsibilities and educational requirements, the ideal candidate for this position possesses most or all of the following:
- Minimum of one to two years experience working with those living with dually/triply diagnosed patients
- Demonstrated knowledge of interaction between psychiatric medication and antiretrovirals
- BCLS certification
- Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated judgment of safety and confidentiality issues.
