Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Health Centers - Full-Time

Job Summary :

A person with a masters in social work, employed by Erlanger Medical Center to provide counseling services to behavioral health patients and support the departments of behavioral health and primary care in the effort toward integration for the Dodson Avenue Community Health Center.

This position is involved in a team-based approach to care. Team members are trained to meet the highest level of function for their role as per the State of Tennessee / Georgia guidelines. Is trained and assigned (as per their role and responsibilities) to coordinate care for patients and is trained and assigned to support patients / families / caregivers in self-management, self-efficacy and behavior change. Is trained and assigned (as per their role and responsibilities) to manage the practices' patient population. Participates in the practice's quality improvement process and performance evaluation.

Education :

Required : Master's Degree in Social Work and has passed a state licensing exam.

Preferred : Experience :

Required :

A minimum of 2 years experience in counseling / therapy. Above average ability to use sound clinical judgment and communicate clearly in both written and verbal formats. Willingness to address opportunities for improvement. Ability to be extremely self directed and able to communicate effectively with professional staff across many disciplines and programs. Ability to provide both brief and comprehensive psychiatric assessments.

Preferred : Knowledge of psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, developmental, and systems theory; experience conducting group, individual and family therapy using a variety of accepted modalities; experience conducting support groups; ability to compose and present psycho-educational lectures; knowledge of current DSMIV-TR terminology, with ability to effectively formulate cases in diagnostic terms. Familiarity with regulatory and insurance reimbursement issues preferred. Experience with integration of behavioral health into a primary care setting and the ability to speak Spanish would be ideal.

Position Requirement(s) : License / Certification / Registration

Required : Clinical Social Worker licensed by the State of Tennessee

Preferred : Experience :

The Dodson Avenue Behavioral Health LCSW will provide direct patient care through brief and comprehensive assessments, development and implementation of treatment plans, individual, family therapy, and sometimes group therapy. The Social Worker will also work with the psychiatrist, behavioral health coordinator, and primary care team to establish integration of behavioral health services with primary care in order to provide comprehensive services to patients as well as promote a milieu of harmony, trust, learning and growth. He / she communicates and documents clearly and completely, shares expertise with others and demonstrates an understanding of the need to foster performance improvement while achieving patient / client satisfaction and practice efficiency. Understands and advocates the value and benefits of a primary / psychiatric care and continuity of care as part of a system of care.

The employee must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the dynamic of the patients served at the community health center. The individual must demonstrate knowledge and respect of cultural differences and posses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific / cultural / social needs and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's policies and procedures. Must demonstrate compassion and a knowledge of addiction with a desire to educate / intervene to promote wellness.

Performs brief psychiatric assessments of primary care patients when needed and gives feedback to primary care practitioners regarding recommendations for follow-up care / treatment. Performs brief, targeted psychotherapy to appropriate primary care patients to promote change. Assesses, plans, coordinates, monitors and evaluates depression screens and follow up care to assure quality outcomes. Maintains adherence to department standards. Takes responsibility for departmental and organization objectives. Assists psychiatrist in overall management of behavioral health patients to provide comprehensive care / support to patients in need.