Clinical Social Worker, Per Diem- Suffolk County Jail Project

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Clinical Social Worker, Per Diem will serve as a member of the treatment team within a new, 45-bed men’s behavioral health unit operated by Boston Medical Center (BMC) located in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department’s (SCSD) Jail. In collaboration with Clinical and Administrative leadership, this role will help ensure the smooth provision of behavioral health treatment to incarcerated persons. Treatment will include, intake assessments, individual counseling, and facilitation of group therapy. This role requires practicing non-judgmental patient centered care and cultural humility in order to care for an impacted patient population who is often marginalized within the healthcare and justice systems. Experience within corrections is not required, as the goal of this program is to deliver community level and quality of treatment inside the jail. As part of this innovative new collaboration between BMC and SCSD, this role will report into the BMC Department of Psychiatry. Work will be completed within office and clinical settings, both housed within a setting of incarceration. This is a full time daytime position. The person who fills this position must adhere to all of BMC’s RESPECT behavioral standards.

Position: Clinical Social Worker

Department: Suffolk County Jail Project, Psychiatry

Schedule: Part Time, per Diem

Location: Onsite only, within the Suffolk County Jail

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Accurately represent duties and responsibilities as well as job specifications. Identify between 5-8 primary duties and responsibilities; list them in order of importance; begin each statement with an action verb; use present tense; use gender neutral language; where appropriate use qualifiers to clarify tasks (where, when, why, or how often); avoid words that are open to interpretation.

• Serve as a member of the interdisciplinary care team supporting the patient’s goal in alignment with program philosophy, through collaboration with a broader team of physicians, case managers, and peers to assess and adjust treatment plans
• Provide evidence-based evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients with substance use disorders and/or psychiatric illness through formats including assessment, individual therapy, and group therapy
• Provide crisis intervention as needed on unit including risk assessments and crisis planning
• Assist case managers with any clinical reentry needs including transitions of behavioral health care
• Complete all necessary clinical documentation in an accurate and timely manner
• Participate in the teaching of students and other trainees as indicated
• Participate in departmental and organizational quality improvement programs and trainings

(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:

Master’s degree in behavioral health field

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Requires a Massachusetts license as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Will consider LCSW with relevant experience, or those eligible for LCSW and secure licensure within 6 months of hire.

EXPERIENCE:

2+ years providing behavioral health treatment to impacted patient populations

Preference for individuals with experience in emergency psychiatric settings, inpatient behavioral health units, or individuals who have worked with justice-involved population

Preference for therapist with experience in utilizing art, music, and creativity within a milieu setting

Lived experience is valued

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA):

• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse and interdisciplinary team
• Comprehensive knowledge of evidenced based behavioral health treatment and desire to grow knowledge base
• Strong understanding and familiarity with common diagnoses and levels of care across behavioral health and medical settings
• Skilled at engaging difficult to engage patients—build rapport, trust and utilizing de-escalation skills
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment, inclusive of organizational skills, time management skills, critical thinking, and problem solving abilities
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate in a courteous, pleasant and professional manner with healt