Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Day Shift

Description:

Position Summary: The Social Work Therapist is responsible for providing clinical formulations that reflect an understanding of behavioral and psychodynamic theory, and treatment applications that are based upon a broad understanding of dynamics related to behavior and change. He/she formulates individualized and age-specific treatment recommendations and measurable goals with the patient and, as appropriate, the patient’s family and/or other persons of the patient's choosing. In accordance with each patient’s treatment plan, the Therapist provides therapeutic services to patients and families in individual, couples, family and group settings. The therapist coordinates and executes discharge planning. The Lead Social Worker maintains and develops schedule for SW department, including rotating holiday and weekend staffing levels. Completes yearly evaluations for SW peers in coordination with the manager of unit/area. Schedules and Conducts SW interviews for open positions indicated by manager.

Qualifications: Social Work Therapist must have a minimum of a master’s degree in social work or psychology from an accredited university, with at least five years postgraduate professional, relevant experience. Therapists must be licensed in the State of Michigan and adhere to the code of ethics for his/her area of licensure. Additional training in specialty areas such as chemical dependency, cognitive behavioral therapy, and/or dialectical behavioral therapy is highly desirable.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1) Maintains an assigned caseload in accordance with department standards.

2) Seeks consultation and supervision appropriately during patient assessment and throughout treatment.

3) Participates in supervision, case reviews, and team meetings and takes responsibility for presenting patient cases and contributing to the discussion of cases.

4) Demonstrates ability to make appropriate and useful changes in the patient’s treatment plan when problems persist, and recognizes when discharge and/or transfer of care is in the best interest of the patient.

5) Initiates discharge planning on the day of admission, in collaboration with the treatment team and in coordination with the patient and, as appropriate, the patient’s family.

6) Treats all patients, families, co-workers and visitors in a caring and respectful manner, being mindful of individual differences, and cultural and ethnic diversity.

7) Completes patient related documentation in accordance with department and hospital policy, in a timely manner, and with content that is focused on relevant issues.


8) Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships. Approaches conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participates in their resolution.

9) Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, employees, and visitors to St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea/Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places.

10) Maintains knowledge to perform the duties of the job. Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.

11) Demonstrates self-directed learning and participates in ongoing professional development and completes all required competencies to maintain and enhance knowledge and skill.

12) Behaves in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values of Trinity Health.

13) Provides quality patient care by considering the age specific, development and cultural needs through competent clinical practice. Demonstrates unit/area competencies.

14) Identifies and assists in resolution of problems related to safety, sanitation and maintenance of the environment.

15) Demonstrates capacity to identify and manage high-risk situations in which patients may be harmful to themselves or others.

16) Understands legal issues that affect treatment, including but not limited to: child custody, divorce laws, child/adult abuse, duty to warn, recipient rights policies and procedures, alternative treatment orders (ATO’s), and the commitment process for inpatient hospitalization.



Other Functions and Responsibilities

1) Maintains a patient caseload in accordance with department and/or program policy.
2) Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience and Certification/Licensure

1) Minimum of a master’s degree in social work or psychology from an accredited university, with at least five