PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER/LMHC

Westchester Medical Center Health Network; City of Poughkeepsie (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a Psychiatric Social Worker/Mental Health Counselor in Poughkeepsie, NY. This role involves providing culturally competent social work interventions, including evaluations, crisis interventions, and treatment planning. The ideal candidate will have a Master's Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling, a New York State license, and experience in a multidisciplinary team setting. Responsibilities include patient assessment, documentation, and advocacy. Competitive compensation and opportunities for professional development provided.

Qualifications

• Two years post-graduate experience in a medical, mental health or human services setting preferred.
• New York State Social Work or Mental Health Counseling license required.
• Experience in one or more therapeutic modalities (individual, family, group or couples therapy) and strong oral/written skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual evaluations and assessments to gather psychosocial and diagnostic information.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment and discharge planning.
• Provide crisis intervention and brief supportive therapy to patients and caregivers.
• Maintain documentation of social work assessments and interventions.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Psychosocial assessment

Therapeutic alliance

Culturally competent care

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling

Job description

Overview

The Psychiatric Social Worker/Mental Health Counselor is responsible for providing thorough and clinically appropriate, culturally competent and trauma informed social work interventions including, but not limited to, social work psychiatric emergency evaluations, psychosocial assessments, person-centered treatment planning, group and individual therapy/psychoeducation, crisis interventions, family/collateral engagement and coordination of aftercare. The Psychiatric Social Worker achieves the expected productivity standard and thoroughly completes all documentation within the required timeframe. The Psychiatric Social Worker serves as an integral member of the interdisciplinary team, communicating and escalating issues as they arise to help ensure excellent patient care.

Responsibilities

• Individual evaluation and assessment: The Social Worker utilizes available records to gather psychosocial and diagnostic information relevant to a patient, conducts patient interviews and interviews of family members/caregivers and providers in the community, assesses patients’ mental status, psychosocial functioning, and the nature and extent of symptoms. Identifies needs and coordinates resources after discharge to promote recovery. In the Emergency Department, the Social Worker conducts Social Work Psychiatric Emergency Evaluations, while the Mental Health Counselor in the Emergency Department performs discharge planning.
• Treatment and discharge planning: Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team to determine appropriate, evidence-based interventions and eligibility for programs/services; provides services in accordance with hospital policy and Federal/State regulations.
• Engagement and supportive counseling: Rapidly builds rapport and establishes a therapeutic alliance with patients; provides crisis intervention and stabilization as well as brief supportive and solution-focused therapy to patients and their caregivers.
• Documentation of services: Maintains timely, ongoing and thorough documentation of social work assessments, interventions, planning and relevant communications with internal and external stakeholders.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Works collaboratively and communicates frequently to coordinate timely and streamlined patient care.
• Functions as a liaison: Initiates and maintains contact with the patient’s family, outpatient providers, schools, probation/parole officers and other supports, including obtaining collateral information and notifying disposition.
• Provides culturally competent care: Demonstrates cultural competence, addressing the needs of minority populations and being sensitive to how disabilities affect experiences, ensuring culturally sensitive prevention, outreach, assessment and intervention.
• Advocacy and confidentiality: Serves as a patient advocate and maintains patient confidentiality.
• Policies and supervision: Practices according to hospital and departmental policies and state/federal regulations; may supervise and/or orient students, support staff and new staff; cross-trains to provide coverage as needed.
• Quality and education: Participates in continuing education and completes all mandatory hospital and department trainings; represents the department on hospital committees and external meetings; participates in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement programs as appropriate.
• Other duties: Performs other duties as assigned and upholds the organization’s mission, vision and values in every encounter.

Qualifications/Requirements

• EXPERIENCE: Two years post-graduate experience in a medical, mental health or human services setting as a member of a multidisciplinary team is preferred.
• EDUCATION: Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling from an accredited Graduate Program.
• LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: New York State Social Work or Mental Health Counseling license required.
• Other: If applicable, may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Exercise universal precautions and follow infection control policies. Demonstrated experience in one or more therapeutic modalities (individual, family, group or couples therapy) and strong oral/written skills; ability to work independently with minimal consultation.