Social Worker

Avenir-Senior-Living; Surprise (AZ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Avenir Behavioral Health Center is seeking a dedicated Social Worker to join our inpatient team. You will perform psychosocial assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, facilitate therapy, and coordinate safe discharge planning for patients and families.

You will collaborate with physicians, nursing, and social services to ensure patient-centered care and compliance with facility policies. Inpatient behavioral health experience and strong documentation skills are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Preferred MSW or MC.
• Behavioral health degree preferred; 3 years direct-care experience if BA.
• 5 years inpatient care if no behavioral health degree.
• Strong communication, crisis management, organizational and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments to determine patient needs, diagnoses and risk factors.
• Develop, evaluate, and maintain individualized treatment plans.
• Provide group and individual therapy and crisis intervention.
• Coordinate safe discharge planning and community resource linkage.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and communicate with families and providers.
• Complete clear medical record documentation following facility standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and adherence to safety policies.
• May act as Court Liaison as needed.

Skills

Social services experience

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Inpatient behavioral health

Evidence-based therapies

Crisis management

Documentation

Education

Master’s in Social Work (MSW)

Master’s in Counseling (MC)

Behavioral health bachelor’s with 3+ years experience

MS/MA in Behavioral Health (other field) with 3+ years experience

Behavioral health degree not required with 5 years inpatient care

Job description

Job Opening: Social Worker (Inpatient Behavioral Health)

Facility Type: 32-Bed, Level 1 Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital

Department: Social Services

Reports To: Director of Social Services

FLSA Status:Non-Exempt

Schedule: Variable days and hours, including weekends and holidays

Position Overview

Avenir Behavioral Health Center is seeking a dedicated, patient-centered Social Worker to join our multidisciplinary team. In this role, you will act as a key resource for healthcare professionals, patients, and families. You will perform comprehensive psychosocial assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, facilitate individual and group therapy, and coordinate safe discharge planning.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

• 
  Assessments & Care Planning:
  
  
  
  • Conduct timely psychosocial assessments to determine patient needs, clinical diagnoses, and risk factors (e.g., danger to self/others).
  
  
  • Develop, evaluate, and maintain individualized, strength-based, and objective treatment plans under supervision.
  
  
  • Perform Utilization Management duties to ensure appropriate levels of care and services.
  
  
  
  


• 
  Therapy & Clinical Interventions:
  
  
  
  • Provide age- and developmentally-appropriate group therapy/activities, individual therapy, and crisis intervention.
  
  
  • Utilize evidence-based treatment modalities.
  
  
  
  


• 
  Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration:
  
  
  
  • Active participant in treatment team meetings; serve as the primary spokesperson for the treatment team with patients, families, caseworkers, and external outpatient providers.
  
  
  • Maintain open communication with attending physicians, nursing staff, and social service colleagues.
  
  
  
  


• Formulate comprehensive, safe discharge plans starting from initial assessment.


• Maintain knowledge of community medical, psychiatric, and social services resources.


• Prepare, document, and deliver petitions to corresponding agencies when necessary.


• May serve as a Court Liaison as needed.


• 
  Documentation & Compliance:
  
  
  
  • Complete clear, timely, and legible medical record documentation (assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, incident reports) following facility and regulatory standards.
  
  
  • Maintain strict patient confidentiality and adhere to all facility safety and infection control policies.
  
  
  
  

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• 
  Preferred: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or Master’s Degree in Counseling (MC).
  


• Master’s Degree in a Behavioral Health field, OR


• Bachelor’s Degree in a Behavioral Health field with a minimum of 3 years of direct-care behavioral health experience, OR


• Master’s Degree in another field with a minimum of 3 years of direct-care behavioral health experience (subject to prior approval).


• (Candidates without a Behavioral Health degree require a minimum of 5 years of relevant inpatient care experience working with a seriously mentally ill population)

Certifications

• 
  Preferred Licensure: Arizona State Associate Level (LMSW, LAC) or Independent Level (LCSW, LPC).
  


• 
  Certifications: Current CPI, CPR, and BLS certifications per facility policy.
  

Experience & Skills

• Preferred 3+ years of social services experience in a behavioral health setting, including work on multidisciplinary clinical teams.


• Preferred 1 year of inpatient behavioral health experience.


• Demonstrated clinical training in evidence-based therapy modalities (group, individual, family).


• Strong communication, crisis management, organizational, and documentation skills.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• 
  Time Allocation: ~65% Sitting (evaluations, therapy, documentation), ~25% Walking (milieu oversight, materials distribution), ~10% Standing, and up to 25% Bending.
  


• 
  Lifting: Ability to lift/carry up to 25 lbs.
  


• 
  Environment: Inpatient behavioral health hospital environment. Occasional exposure to high-risk patient behaviors, critical incidents, blood-borne pathogens, or irregular/prolonged hours.