Social Worker - Level II (BHEARD)

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Health + Hospitals is seeking a Social Worker II for the Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division (B-HEARD). You will deliver frontline crisis response to individuals in mental health crises, connect them to services, and work across community, clinical, and field settings.

The role requires de-escalation, risk assessments, and disposition planning with excellent judgment and adaptability. Field duties include non-traditional work environments and travel across boroughs.

Qualifications

• Valid LMSW or LCSW license issued by NYSED.
• One-year experience working with people with serious mental illness; three years' experience preferred.
• EMS Radio experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Participate in ongoing training and supervision.
• Conduct crisis evaluations, including risk and safety assessments.
• Deliver crisis intervention, de-escalation and engagement strategies in the field.
• Develop rapid, patient-centered disposition plans.
• Access and leverage real-time health information.
• Collaborate with natural supports and community resources.
• Complete timely documentation that meets quality standards.
• Provide peer support and orient new Social Workers.
• Participate in team, borough, program, and departmental meetings.
• Adhere to H+H, city, state, and federal standards and regulations.
• Model person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice.

Skills

Crisis intervention

De-escalation

Risk assessment

Field-based service

Motivational Interviewing

Trauma-informed care

Cultural responsiveness

Education

LMSW license (NYSED)

LCSW license (NYSED)

Tools

EPIC/electronic medical record

PSYCKES

WebEx

Microsoft Office

Job description

Marketing Statement

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the United States. We provide essential outpatient, inpatient and home-based services to more than one million New Yorkers every year across the city’s five boroughs. Our large health system consists of ambulatory centers, acute care centers, post-acute care/long-term care, rehabilitation programs, Home Care, and Correctional Health Services. Our diverse workforce is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers.

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the United States. We provide essential outpatient, inpatient and home-based services to more than one million New Yorkers every year across the city’s five boroughs. Our large health system consists of ambulatory centers, acute care centers, post-acute care/long-term care, rehabilitation programs, Home Care, and Correctional Health Services. Our diverse workforce is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Duties & Responsibilities

B-HEARD (Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division) is a New York City program that deploys interdisciplinary teams to respond to behavioral health emergencies through the 911 system. Teams operate seven days a week (including holidays). Social Workers operate across a range of shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and will be deployed across community, clinical, and field-based settings.

The Social Worker II provides frontline crisis response in the community, supporting people experiencing mental health crises, substance use challenges, suicidality, trauma, or acute stress. Core responsibilities include de-escalation, brief crisis interventions, comprehensive risk assessments, and rapid connection to appropriate services. This role requires excellent judgement, adaptability, and the ability to engage effectively in unpredictable and high-pressure environments.

Some of the physical activities performed in this position include working outdoors in all weather conditions, climbing stairs, treating individuals who may have infectious and communicable diseases, working for extended periods of the day or night in a vehicle, treating patients at heights such as rooftops, bridges or elevated highways, and carrying a mobile radio for communication purposes. Must be able to perform duties in a variety of indoor and outdoor work environments and community settings, including in ambulance-style vehicles, residences, healthcare facilities, shelters, public spaces, and other locations where services are provided. Ballistic vests are available. When in the field, administrative tasks such as telephone calls, virtual meetings and medical record documentation are typically done in a moving vehicle.

General Tasks And Responsibilities Will Include

• Participate in ongoing training and supervision
• Conduct crisis evaluations, including risk and safety assessments
• Deliver crisis intervention, de-escalation and engagement strategies in the field
• Develop rapid, patient-centered disposition plans
• Access and leverage real-time health information
• Collaborate with natural supports and community resources
• Complete timely documentation that meets quality standards
• Provide peer support and orient new Social Workers
• Participate in team, borough, program, and departmental meetings
• Adhere to H+H, city, state, and federal standards and regulations
• Model person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice
• Demonstrate ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence)
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

For Assignment to Level II

• Valid license as an LMSW issued by the NYSED; or
• Valid license as an LCSW issued by the NYSED.

Department Preferences

• At minimum, one-year experience working with people with serious mental illness (e.g. mobile crisis team, mobile treatment team, community-based health provider, hospital emergency room, inpatient psychiatric care) and three years' experience preferred
• EMS Radio

Ballistic Vest

• H+H issued cell/smart phone and related email and SMS/text platforms for communication

Laptop and smart phone, Microsoft Office, EPIC/electronic medical record, PSYCKES, WebEx (and other virtual meeting platforms)

• Mental health evaluation/risk assessment
• Crisis intervention techniques
• Mental health and substance use
• Disposition planning
• Field-based service
• Motivational Interviewing
• Individual or familial lived experience in behavioral health is highly preferred