Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Wellness

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience seeks a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to provide mental health and wellness support for medical staff, residents, fellows, and faculty.

You will deliver individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and resilience-building, managing a caseload up to 30 patients per week in a fast-paced environment, while ensuring HIPAA compliance and coordination with interdisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) required.
• LCSW Illinois licensure or license eligible.
• 2–5 years of related work experience in healthcare or mental health setting.
• Experience with crisis intervention and trauma-informed care.
• Ability to provide individual and group therapy in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Provide confidential, goal-focused individual psychotherapy.
• Offer crisis intervention and safety planning.
• Support wellness, resilience, and work-life balance initiatives.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and supervison offices.
• Refer to internal and external resources as appropriate.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Communication skills

Evidence-based therapies

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW)

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

About The Department

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago has a longstanding commitment to excellence in clinical care, education, and research. Its faculty bring expertise across the psychiatric subspecialties and in behavioral neuroscience, with a shared focus on advancing the understanding and treatment of mental illness. Research within the Department is broad and multidisciplinary, spanning clinical, translational, and neuroscience research. Areas of expertise include anxiety and mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, dementia and cognitive disorders, eating and weight disorders, including obesity, substance use disorders, and impulse control and related disorders. This work is carried out through established research programs, including the Center for Psychiatric Genetics, the Human Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, the Addictive, Compulsive and Impulsive Disorders Research Program, and the Eating Disorders Research Program. Many faculty hold appointments in the University of Chicago Neuroscience Institute, and the Department supports NIH-funded T32 training programs in eating disorders and in addictions. Faculty also examine developmental and other factors that influence mental health and treatment response, using approaches such as neuroimaging, genetics and genomics, human behavioral pharmacology, behavioral research, and clinical investigation. Together, these efforts support the Department’s mission to advance psychiatric knowledge, educate the next generation of clinicians and scientists, and improve outcomes for individuals affected by mental illness.

Department

BSD PSY - Clinical Social Work

Job Summary

We are seeking a compassionate and experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to provide mental health and wellness support for medical staff, resident and fellow physicians, and UChicago Medicine faculty. This role will provide individual and group therapy tailored to the unique personal and professional stressors experienced by healthcare professionals, including burnout, compassion fatigue, work-life balance, anxiety, stress, and adjustment challenges. The LCSW will utilize evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions to promote resilience, emotional well-being, healthy coping strategies, and overall wellness. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the healthcare environment and the demands placed on medical professionals, along with the ability to provide compassionate, confidential, and clinically appropriate support in a fast-paced setting.

Responsibilities

• Psychosocial Assessment: Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to identify the emotional, mental health, and social needs of residents, fellows, faculty, and staff. Collaborate with medical and mental health professionals to develop individualized treatment goals and care plans.
• Individual Therapy: Provide confidential, goal-focused, evidence-based, and time-limited individual psychotherapy to residents, fellows, faculty, and staff experiencing emotional or psychological distress. Address concerns such as stress, anxiety, burnout, compassion fatigue, adjustment, work-life balance, relationships, and other personal or professional challenges. Opportunities may be available to facilitate group therapy based on program needs and the candidate’s interest and expertise.
• Crisis Intervention: Provide timely clinical support during mental health and emotional crises, including assessment, de-escalation, safety planning, and appropriate referrals to higher levels of care or community resources when indicated.
• Wellness and Resilience: Support the development of healthy coping strategies, resilience, self-care, and work-life integration. Contribute to initiatives that promote emotional well-being and a healthy, supportive workplace culture within the medical center.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaborate with UChicago Medicine’s Graduate Medical Education Office of Well-Being and the Office of Wellness and Vitality, as well as clinical, administrative, and leadership teams, to support the overall well-being of residents, fellows, faculty, and staff. Serve as a resource and advocate for individuals navigating the unique demands of the healthcare environment.
• Care Coordination and Referrals: Connect individuals with appropriate internal and external resources and services based on identified needs. Exercise appropriate clinical judgment when making referrals for additional behavioral health, medical, financial, legal, housing, educational, or other supportive services.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: Maintain timely, accurate, and complete electronic documentation of assessments, treatment plans, therapy sessions, interventions, referrals, and client progress in accordance with legal, ethical, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
• Treatment Monitoring: Monitor and document progress toward measurable treatment and care plan goals, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and modify treatment approaches as clinically appropriate.
• Caseload Management: Manage a caseload of up to 30 patients per week while maintaining high-quality clinical care, timely documentation, appropriate follow-up, and accessibility to the populations served.
• Confidentiality and Professional Standards: Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive personal, professional, and clinical information. Comply with HIPAA, applicable laws and regulations, professional standards, the Social Work Code of Ethics, and UChicago Medicine policies and procedures.
• Regulatory and Clinical Compliance: Review, interpret, and apply applicable federal and state laws, regulations, professional standards, policies, and procedures governing clinical social work practice.
• Meetings and Program Participation: Participate in clinical, interdisciplinary, administrative, and wellness-related meetings as appropriate to support communication, program development, and coordination of services.
• Clinical Supervision: Provide clinical supervision, consultation, and mentorship to social work trainees or interns as assigned and appropriate to scope of practice.
• Interprets, monitors, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
• Analyzes potential problems in home or work environments of clients.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW).

Experience

• Working for a large complex healthcare organization.
• Experience with Eating Disorder population.
• Experience in a fast-paced outpatient, community, or clinical setting.
• Experience with crisis intervention and trauma-informed care.

Licenses And Certifications

• LCSW Illinois licensure or license eligible.

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, code of ethics, policies, and procedures as related to social work.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong clinical skills and knowledge of therapeutic modalities (CBT, DBT, ACT, solution-focused therapy, etc.).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with individuals and interdisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, healthcare settings, stages of medical training and the impact of burnout and secondary traumatic stress on mental health.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and emotional resilience in a fast-paced, challenging environment.
• Knowledge of diverse populations and capacity for cultural humility in the provision of care and collaboration.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, Code of Ethics, policies, and procedures as related to social work.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and in compliance with confidentiality laws.
• Ability to manage caseloads and maintain effective time management practices.
• Ability to identify and seek consultation for issues related to dual relationships and other ethical issues that arise.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, Code of Ethics, policies, and procedures as related to social work.

Working Conditions

• Health clinics and hospital setting.
• Primarily office-based clinical work.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and computer use.
• Frequent use of electronic health records and office equipment.
• Frequent communication with patients and staff.
• Occasional standing and walking.
• May respond to urgent or crisis situations.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family

Healthcare & Medical Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

Yes

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$80,000.00 - $110,000.00

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Additional Compensation

In addition to the base pay posted above, this position may be eligible for Department’s incentive compensation plan based on clinical productivity performance. The clinical incentive is paid once a year and is based on prior year performance by RVU's

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.