The Department of Children and Families is seeking a Medical Social Worker who is committed to upholding the department’s fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Medical Social Worker performs a variety of functions including physical and behavioral health advocacy and interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to accessing healthcare needs and services of youth in care or custody. They will serve as a member of the DCF Health and Medical Services Team (HMST) and will be instrumental in supporting DCF staff with identifying healthcare demands.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Support Area Offices in ensuring that youth have medical screenings, comprehensive examinations, health maintenance visits (“physicals”), and dental care within required timeframes; Ensure that all available relevant medical information is documented in agency database – FamilyNet.

• Track data and metrics to help increase compliance with agency policy.

• Ensure appropriate coordination of healthcare services from the time youth enter DCF custody.

• Establish and maintain effective relationships between the agency and healthcare providers statewide by collaborating, identifying barriers to access, and ensuring that care coordination is established for all youth.

• Identify cases in which further medical consultation should be conducted with the Regional Nurses.

• Collaborate with the Medical Director, the HMST Supervisor, Area Offices, and other specialty units (Regional Nurses, Central Office Medical Social Workers, Substance Abuse Coordinators, Domestic Violence Specialists, and Mental Health Specialists), on individual cases regarding children with complex medical conditions and care coordination.

• Assist DCF staff with identifying youth who need HIV testing, accessing the testing, and documenting the results in the agency database - FamilyNet.

• Support agency staff with pharmacy issues, including Medication Administration Program (MAP) issues when youth are entering group home placements; follow-up on issues around prior authorization for medication and contact prescribers to inquire if the prior authorization request has been submitted.

• Provide appropriate referrals to community-based healthcare providers; Assist staff with discharge planning.

• Expedite referrals to agency specialists and hospital Child Protection Teams as needed in individual cases.

• Coordinate with agency Area Office staff, Lead Agencies and substitute caretakers to ensure that staff and care providers have appropriate and relevant healthcare information about youth entering custody.

• Identify healthcare trends, staff training needs, and barriers to accessing healthcare services.

• Evaluate and guide social work practice issues in the development, revision, and implementation of healthcare-related policies and practices.

• Utilize the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) to help resolve Medicaid and Managed Care Organization barriers to youth accessing healthcare services.

• Facilitate agency trainings for Area Offices in regard to healthcare-related policies or directives.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or Higher in Social Work.

• Current and valid licensure as a Licensed Certified Social Worker or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Social Work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Skilled in coordinating medical and behavioral healthcare services for children who have acute and chronic healthcare conditions.

• Knowledge of the behavioral health and healthcare needs of children who have been abused or neglected and those with complex medical conditions.

• Prior experience as a Social Worker.

• Experience in trauma-informed social work practice.

• Ability and proficiency in working with community healthcare providers.

• Familiarity with principles and practices of child welfare, and industry trends/developments.

• Thoroughness, independence, and excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information.

• Record of working in multidisciplinary teams.

• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.

Travel:

Based on assignment, travel throughout the Commonwealth may be required. Those applicants who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current or valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s license or the equivalent from another state.

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they can grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care, and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency, and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care, when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship, or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf

TO APPLY:

Please upload both your Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants who apply within the first 14 days.

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants who apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE: None. (See Required Education and Licenses.)
REQUIRED EDUCATION: A Master's or higher degree in social work.
LICENSES: Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

• Current and valid licensure as a Licensed Certified Social Worker or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Social Work.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.