Social Worker

Avenir Behavioral Health Center; Surprise (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Avenir Behavioral Health Center is seeking a dedicated Social Worker for its 32-Bed Level 1 Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital in Surprise. The role involves psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, group and individual therapy, and discharge coordination for patients and families.

Responsibilities include utilization management, collaboration with the treatment team, and ensuring documentation meets facility standards.

Qualifications

• Preferred: MSW or MC in social work or counseling.
• Minimum: Master’s in Behavioral Health; or Bachelor’s in Behavioral Health + 3 years direct-care experience; or Master’s in another field + 3 years direct-care Behavioral Health experience (with approval).
• If no Behavioral Health degree, 5 years inpatient care experience with seriously mentally ill population.

Responsibilities

• Perform psychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Provide individual and group therapy as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Coordinate safe discharge planning and community resource referrals.
• Maintain accurate medical record documentation and comply with policies.

Skills

Crisis management

Communication

Documentation

Inpatient behavioral health

Education

Master's Degree in Behavioral Health

Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Health

Master’s Degree in another field with 3 years direct-care experience

5 years direct inpatient care experience

Tools

CPI

CPR

BLS

Job description

Job Opening: Social Worker (Inpatient Behavioral Health)

Facility:

Avenir Behavioral Health Center

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.
• Discharge Planning & Community Resources:
  • 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).
• Minimum Required:
  • 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.