Licensed Independent Social Worker

Deer Oaks - The Behavioral Health Solution; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Generous PTO and paid holidays

ASWB-accredited CEUs at no cost

Job summary

Deer Oaks - The Behavioral Health Solution is seeking a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) to join their integrated clinical team in Des Moines, Iowa. In this role, you'll provide vital behavioral health support to residents in long-term care facilities, working under a predictable schedule with professional autonomy.

The ideal candidate enjoys collaborative work with older adults and values both independence and team support. Comprehensive training and competitive benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• Ability to provide therapy, assessment, and care planning for residents.
• Comfortable navigating long-term care environments.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills to coordinate with interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual, family, and group therapy sessions.
• Conduct clinical assessments and develop treatment plans.
• Collaborate with facility staff to enhance resident care.

Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Compassion

Education

Active, unrestricted LISW license

Job description

Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) – full time or part time

Deer Oaks Behavioral Health — Long-Term Care Clinical Services

Join a mission-driven behavioral health organization that has been a trusted partner to Long-Term Care (LTC) communities for over 30 years. Deer Oaks is a nationally recognized leader in geriatric behavioral health, partnering with thousands of facilities across the country to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care to older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions.

We are seeking a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) to join our integrated clinical team. In this role, you will work onsite in one or more long-term care facilities within your local community, providing therapy, assessment, care planning, and behavioral health support. This position offers professional autonomy, a predictable Monday–Friday schedule, and robust administrative and clinical support so you can focus on what matters most—helping patients thrive.

What You’ll Do

As a key member of the interdisciplinary team, you will:

Clinical Care

• Provide individual, family, and group therapy to LTC residents.
• Conduct clinical assessments, psychosocial evaluations, screenings, and treatment planning.
• Support residents with depression, anxiety, adjustment to illness, grief, trauma, substance use, behavioral disturbances, and other conditions common in LTC settings.
• Deliver behavioral management and brief, goal-oriented interventions aligned with best practices in geriatric care.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Work closely with nursing, social services, rehabilitation, and medical providers to coordinate treatment and improve resident outcomes.
• Participate in care plan discussions, facility meetings, and case collaborations as needed.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain complete and timely documentation using our Geriatric Notes Tool (GNT).
• Follow ethical, professional, and regulatory guidelines for clinical documentation, confidentiality, and care delivery.

Facility Partnership

• Build strong, professional relationships with facility staff and leadership.
• Serve as a behavioral health resource and trusted partner in supporting residents’ mental and emotional needs.

Why Choose Deer Oaks?

We are a provider-centric organization that takes pride in supporting our clinicians with the tools, training, and benefits they need to succeed.

Work-Life Balance

• Flexible scheduling — create your own Monday–Friday schedule
• No evenings, weekends, or on-call
• Autonomy in organizing your daily workflow and caseload

Professional Growth

• ASWB-accredited CEUs at no cost
• Ongoing clinical support, mentorship, and consultation
• Access to geriatric-specific clinical training and specialty resources

Robust Administrative Support

• Dedicated teams for billing, collections, credentialing, insurance, and scheduling
• HIPAA-compliant documentation system and efficient workflows
• Liability insurance provided (100% company-paid) for full‑time and part‑time staff

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation model
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous PTO and paid holidays

Who Thrives in this Role?

• LICSWs who value autonomy paired with team collaboration
• Clinicians who enjoy working with older adults and medically complex individuals
• Strong communicators comfortable partnering with facility staff
• Providers who are organized, compassionate, and clinically confident
• Clinicians seeking long‑term stability in a supportive environment

What You’ll Need

• Active, unrestricted LISW license
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team
• Comfortable navigating LTC environments
• Commitment to timely documentation and high‑quality care

About Deer Oaks - The Behavioral Health Solution

Focused exclusively on behavioral health in long‑term care since 1992, Deer Oaks proudly serves thousands of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities nationwide. Our mission is to enhance the emotional well‑being and quality of life of residents through compassionate, clinically excellent behavioral health services.

To learn more about our organization, visit www.deeroaks.com.

Or Contact

Deena Mullins, Recruitment Partner, email: [e-mail], Cell: [phone]