Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Wellness

The University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking a compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to provide mental health support for medical staff, residents, fellows, and faculty at UChicago Medicine. The role emphasizes trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy, burnout mitigation, and confidential care in a fast-paced clinical environment.

The LCSW will conduct psychosocial assessments, offer individual and group therapy, and collaborate with Education and Wellness offices to promote resilience and

Qualifications

• Education: degree in related field is required.
• 2–5 years of related work experience.
• Licensure: LCSW Illinois licensure or licensure-eligible preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop individualized care plans.
• Provide individual and group therapy for healthcare staff and faculty.
• Perform crisis intervention and safety planning when needed.
• Coordinate care with medical and administrative teams.
• Maintain timely documentation in medical records and ensure HIPAA compliance.

Skills

Clinical skills

Communication

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Time management

Education

MSW

LCSW licensure

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

DepartmentBSD PSY - Clinical Social Work

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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

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.

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
• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook. 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 based on prior year performance by RVU's.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

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.