Social Worker

bphccareers; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boston Public Health Commission seeks a licensed mental health professional to join the Mental Health and Social Services team in Massachusetts. You will assess, refer, and place homeless shelter guests with signs of mental illness, performing triage and coordinating care.

Responsibilities include crisis intervention, collaboration with clinicians, DMH eligibility assistance, and linkage to housing, substance abuse, and dual-diagnosis services.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required; LCSW, LICSW, LMHC or eligible for licensure within 6 months.
• Strong clinical skills and understanding of mental health and dual-diagnosis issues.
• Experience with homelessness and substance abuse is helpful.
• Familiarity with DMH eligibility determination and services.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Boston area social services and mental health agencies.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Bi-Lingual Spanish speaking preferred.
• Boston residency required.
• CORI required.
• Position requires direct client contact; immunizations may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provides clinical assessment, referral and placement services to homeless guests entering emergency shelter with signs of mental illness.
• Completes Mental Health Triage assessments for new shelter guests.
• Identifies high-risk behaviors and provides crisis intervention and clinical support.
• Implements diversion plans or referrals to housing to move guests out of shelter.
• Collaborates with Clinicians of Social Work Department to determine services/referrals.
• Assists with DMH eligibility applications and coordinates DMH services with outreach from Homeless Outreach Team.
• Works with Recovery Services Bureau for placement into treatment if needed.
• Collaborates with external social services agencies and hospitals for referrals and discharge planning.
• Maintains progress notes and HMIS records; compiles records/reports.
• Provides psycho-educational groups and transports clients as needed.

Skills

Clinical skills

Homelessness experience

Bilingual Spanish

Communication skills

Team collaboration

CORI knowledge

Education

Master's degree in social work or related field

LCSW/LICSW/LMHC or eligible for licensure within 6 months

Job description

DUTIES

• Works as part of the Mental Health and Social Services team Provides clinical assessment, referral and placement services to homeless guests entering emergency shelter who report, or present with signs of, mental illness.
• Completes Mental Health Triage assessments on new shelter guests to determine immediate level of need.
• Identifies high-risk behaviors in new guests and provides direct crisis intervention and clinical support to the team.
• Assertively moves guests on a quick path out of shelter by implementing a diversion plan or making a referral to housing department.
• Works in collaboration with the Clinicians of the Social Work Department, to ensure that clients presenting with acute mental health symptoms are assessed for the most appropriate services and/or referral.
• Assists guests with DMH eligibility applications and, in collaboration with the Social Work Department, coordinates DMH services for clients including outreach services from the Homeless Outreach Team of DMH.
• Works in collaboration with the Recovery Services Bureau for placement into substance abuse and dual-diagnosis treatment if needed.
• Collaborates with external social services agencies and acts as liaison to hospitals, mental health facilities and inpatient/outpatient programs.
• Responsible for providing referrals to psychiatric care and providing follow-up on hospitalized guests to coordinate appropriate discharge plans.
• Develops and maintains referral sources for homeless guests by establishing contacts and working in collaboration with area social services agencies.
• Works closely with all internal departments in order to coordinate and facilitate services.
• Maintains up to date and accurate progress notes and records for the department, including HMIS.
• Assists in compiling records and statistical reports.
• Attends assigned meetings and trainings.
• Provides psycho-educational groups to guests and staff.
• Transports clients via program van.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master degree required. LCSW, LICSW, LMHC or eligible for licensure (within 6 months).
• Strong clinical skills and understanding of mental health and dual-diagnosis issues.
• Experience working with diverse ethnic, racial and economic populations required. Prior experience with homelessness and substance abuse is helpful.
• Familiarity w/ DMH eligibility determination and services.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Boston area social services and mental health agencies.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary team environment.
• Bi-Lingual Spanish speaking preferred
• Boston residency required.
• CORI required.
• Position requires direct client contact. Certain immunizations will be required.