ASW Clinician: Harm Reduction & Housing Support

Wesley Health Centers - JWCH Institute, Inc.; Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Wesley Health Centers - JWCH Institute, Inc. is seeking an Associate Social Worker to perform on-site clinic-based assessments, brief crisis intervention, and ongoing counseling.

The ASW will work within a multidisciplinary team at each clinic to reduce barriers and improve wellbeing for underserved populations of Los Angeles County through direct care and coordination of health services. The role emphasizes harm reduction, motivational interviewing, Housing First, and collaboration with Case

Responsibilities

• All clinical psycho-social services provided by the ASW will be under the direct supervision of JWCH LCSW.
• Duties will include conducting clinic crisis interventions when requested.
• Conducting triage to determine and assist with immediate client needs including psychiatric crisis management, basic needs such as food, water, and emergency shelter.
• Use “best practice” methods to engage patients to encourage them to accept assistance and ongoing care.
• Utilize a harm reduction model when working with clients with chemical dependency or substance use disorders.
• After engagement with client, refer to case management or housing navigation staff to conduct assessment (VI-SPDAT) to determine housing and service needs and begin navigation process to assist clients to obtain permanent housing.
• Continue to work with Case Management and Housing navigation staff throughout the engagement to coordinate interventions and ensure care plans are appropriate and use SMART goals.
• Provide clinical assessments for clients, including those referred by other clinic staff. Assessments will assist to connect clients to appropriate care, including behavioral health services and/or case management staff.
• Coordinate with Case Management staff to ensure navigation services are provided to clients by assisting clients to obtain documents and services needed to obtain housing.
• Work closely with Case Management staff to ensure assistance has been provided with obtaining identification documents, assistance with application for health insurance, assistance in completing applications for housing programs, etc.
• Participate in weekly Staff meeting and MTD’s to coordinate and strategize interventions with specific patients ensuring engagement of those least likely to seek assistance and prioritize those with the highest needs.
• Provide coaching for other support staff within scope of practice and improve use of evidence-based practices including motivational interviewing and harm reduction.
• Conduct functional and strength-based assessment along with comprehensive diagnosis for mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and psychosocial needs.
• Develop patient care plans that are coordinated and integrated with a comprehensive range of medical and psychosocial services to address social, emotional, and practical needs.
• ASW will allocate time each day (4-6 scheduled appointments) for more formal (individual and group psychotherapy) Clinical Social Work activities apart from the general clinic based crisis interventions following the BBS guidelines (below) by providing psychotherapy, counseling, and psycho-education utilizing individual, family, and group modalities using evidence-based interventions for patients and their significant others that include social, emotional, and practical life skills to facilitate safe coping, distress tolerance, stress reduction, mindfulness, and relaxation as well as access to necessary resources with the goal of improved functioning and positive health outcomes.

Job description

Wesley Health Centers - JWCH Institute, Inc. is seeking an Associate Social Worker to perform on-site clinic-based assessments, brief crisis intervention, and ongoing counseling.

The ASW will work within a multidisciplinary team at each clinic to reduce barriers and improve wellbeing for underserved populations of Los Angeles County through direct care and coordination of health services. The role emphasizes harm reduction, motivational interviewing, Housing First, and collaboration with Case