Social Worker (MSW)

UNC Health; United States; On-site; USD 69,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC Health is seeking a Social Worker – Ambulatory II to join our care management team in Chapel Hill, NC. The role focuses on assessing biopsychosocial needs, creating patient-centered care plans, and coordinating resources to support safe transitions of care.

You will advocate for patients, use motivational interviewing, and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to improve outcomes. A CSWE-accredited MSW and NC LCSW licensure are required.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Licensed as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina.
• Minimum of three years of broad clinical healthcare experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to identify patient needs and barriers to functioning.
• Develop patient-centered care plans integrating medical, psychological, and social aspects.
• Coordinate resources and transitions of care, including referrals for home health, hospice, DME, and long-term care.
• Document and bill for services in compliance with requirements.
• Identify crises and provide intervention and support, with safety planning as needed.
• Monitor and evaluate progress of care plans and coordinate follow-up with the team.
• Advocate for patient needs and ensure access to appropriate treatments.
• Practice active listening, empathy, and culturally sensitive care.
• Utilize motivational interviewing to support health goals.
• Participate in team meetings, provide education, and support process improvements.

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work (CSWE-accredited)

Job description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary

A Social Worker – Ambulatory II is an integral member of the healthcare team, providing comprehensive support and services to patients and their families. They play a vital role in promoting mental, emotional, and social well-being. The Clinical Social Worker is responsible for a range of duties, including conducting assessments, developing patient‑centered care plans, facilitating resources, monitoring progress and evaluation, advocating for patients, actively listening to their concerns, respecting individuality, and building trust.

Responsibilities

• Assessments: Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to evaluate patient needs and identify any barriers to their overall functioning. This includes assessing their support systems, coping mechanisms, mental health conditions, and psychosocial factors.
• Patient‑Centered Care Plans: Collaborate with the healthcare team and the patient to develop individualized care plans that address their unique needs, goals, and preferences. These plans should integrate medical, psychological, and social aspects of care to ensure a holistic approach. Plans should facilitate optimal patient care transitions to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations or emergency department utilization.
• Resource Facilitation: Connect patients and their families with community resources, mental health services, support groups, and other relevant programs. This includes assisting with referrals for psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and coordinating care with other providers. Educates patients and their families on available resources.

Coordinates and delivers patient education, referrals, and transitions of care, including referrals for home health, hospice, DME, and long‑term care.

• Documentation and Billing for Services: Accurately document and bill for services rendered in compliance with insurance and regulatory requirements.
• Crises Management: Identify possible or actual patient/family crises, provide crisis intervention and emotional support, and creates and facilitates effective plans for resolution. Provides brief interventions for mental, emotional, addictive, behavioral, or developmental disorders and conditions within the scope of practice for an LCSW.
• Progress Monitoring & Evaluation: Continuously monitor and evaluate the progress of patients' care plans to assess their response to interventions, measure outcomes, and make necessary adjustments. Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure appropriate follow‑up and continuity of care. Updates care plan in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team in accordance with patient clinical course and continuing care needs.
• Advocacy: Advocate for patients' needs within the healthcare system and the community. This involves ensuring access to appropriate treatment, facilitating communication between patients and their healthcare team, and addressing any barriers or concerns that may impact the patient's well‑being.
• Active Listening: Engage in active listening to understand patients' experiences, concerns, and emotions. Provide a safe and non‑judgmental space for patients to express themselves, and offer empathy, validation, and support.
• Motivational Interviewing: Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques as an approach to behavior change with the aim of assisting patients with reaching their health goals.
• Respect for Individuality: Recognize and respect the unique values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds of each patient. Tailor interventions and support to align with their individual needs and preferences, taking into account their cultural, social, and spiritual backgrounds.
• Building Trust: Build trust‑based relationships with patients and their families by demonstrating empathy, confidentiality, and professionalism. Foster open communication, collaboration, and a therapeutic alliance.
• Actively participates in meetings, problem solving, goal setting, quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives.
• Facilitates meetings with team members, provides training and education, develops standard work and oversees process implementation as appropriate.
• Serves as a consultative resource for team members, providers, and colleagues.

Other Information

Education Requirements

• Master's Degree in Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Licensure/Certification Requirements

• Licensed as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of North Carolina

Professional Experience Requirements

• Three (3) years of broad clinical experience in a healthcare setting for patients with complex medical conditions required.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements

• Knowledge of mental health conditions, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based treatment modalities

Ability to collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team

Empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity

Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines

Job Details

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: UNCH Care Mgmt OP Social Wrkrs

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Salary Range: $33.37 - $47.97 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes

This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email [e-mail] if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.