Licensed Clinical Social Worker

University of Utah Health; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) Youth Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at University of Utah Health seeks a primary therapist to provide care for adolescents aged 12–18. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will deliver structured clinical interventions designed to restore daily functioning within an 8–12 week model.

Responsibilities include conducting diagnostic intake assessments, leading weekly therapy groups, coordinating with families, and guiding discharge planning.

Qualifications

• Strong clinical assessment and therapeutic skills.
• Proven ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated experience working with adolescents and families.
• Proven ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team setting.

Responsibilities

• Admissions & Planning: Review referrals, complete diagnostic intake assessments, and develop targeted skill-building treatment plans.
• Clinical Care: Lead three weekly therapy groups, conduct individual and family contacts/updates, and guide milieu-based interventions; provide safety assessments and escalate as needed.
• Case Management & Coordination: Act as primary family liaison and lead multidisciplinary discharge and transition planning.
• Cross-Program Consultation: Serve as lead assessment consultant for Meadowbrook residential and day treatment services.
• Collaborate with treatment team to address social/emotional factors contributing to patient well-being.

Skills

Strong clinical assessment and terapi

Proven ability to work independently

Demonstrated experience with youth

Multidisciplinary team collaboration

Job description

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position involves the practice of mental health therapy and the application of generally recognized psychotherapeutic and social work principles and practices obtained through education and training. Providing professional mental health services of a preventative and developmental nature through, direct or indirect consultation with patients, supervision of practice of a certified social worker or social service worker, and interns, and developing program criteria for area of specialization.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Position Overview

The Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) Youth Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is seeking a primary therapist to provide care for adolescents aged 12–18. Operating within a multidisciplinary team—psychologists, social workers, recreational/music therapists, and psychiatric technicians—this role delivers structured clinical interventions (at least 9 hours/week per patient) designed to restore daily functioning within an 8–12 week model. Additionally, this position serves as the primary assessment consult for residential and day treatment programs at the Meadowbrook location.

Key Responsibilities

• Admissions & Planning: Review referrals, complete diagnostic intake assessments, and develop targeted skill-building treatment plans.
• Clinical Care: Lead three weekly therapy groups, conduct individual and family contacts/updates throughout treatment, and guide milieu-based interventions. Provide safety assessments when needed and facilitate a step-up to a higher level of care when indicated.
• Case Management & Coordination: Act as the primary family liaison throughout treatment and lead the multidisciplinary team in executing discharge and transition plans.
• Cross-Program Consultation: Serve as the lead assessment consultant for Meadowbrook residential and day treatment services.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • Strong clinical assessment and therapeutic skills.
  • Proven ability to work independently
  • Demonstrated experience working with adolescents and families.
  • Proven ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team setting.
• Preferred:
  • Prior clinical experience in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) setting.
  • Working knowledge and application of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Essential Functions

• Works in close collaboration with all members of the treatment team including medical doctors, to further their understanding of significant social and emotional factors contributing to the patient's well being.
• Identifies appropriate outside resources, such as community agencies, to assist patients with resuming life in their own community and how to live with the patient's limitations.
• Develops and implements individualized treatment approach to meet the needs of each patient and their families.
• May perform therapy activities for individual, group, and couples counseling.
• Assists in the development of departmental policies and procedures.
• Provides practicing oversight of Certified Social Workers, Social Service Workers, and interns in accordance with Utah state law.
• May perform Case Management duties.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to communicate verbally as well as in writing.
• Ability to work independently and provide individual, group and couples counseling.
• Ability to oversee the activities of Social Workers, Interns and other caseworkers in their area.
• Ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.
• Ability to assist patients and their families with post-treatment adjustments including but not limited to working closely with local, state and federal agencies to ensure the patient receives the appropriate assistance.

Required Qualifications

• Experience with conflict resolution when counseling individuals, couples and groups.

Licenses Required

• Current Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.) certificate for clinical practice in the State of Utah.
• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years directly related experience.
• Experience working with community resources, instructing and supervising Social Workers, Interns and other caseworkers.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• This position involves intermediate work that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or otherwise moving objects while providing patient care to those requiring psychiatric care.

Physical Requirements

Listening, Speaking