Social Worker - Wellness

The University Of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to support healthcare professionals through therapy and crisis intervention. The ideal candidate will have experience in handling mental health challenges specific to medical staff and be proficient in evidence-based therapeutic practices. This role involves individual and group therapy and collaboration within a healthcare setting to promote resilience.

Benefits

Wide range of benefits programs

Incentive compensation plan based on clinical productivity

Qualifications

• LCSW Illinois licensure or license eligible.
• 2-5 years of related work experience.
• Experience in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Provide one-on-one psychotherapy and crisis intervention support.
• Collaborate with medical and mental health teams for holistic care.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Compassion fatigue management

Therapeutic modalities knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Degree in related field

Job description

Preferred Competencies

Department

BSD PSY - Clinical Social Work

About the Department

We are committed to providing evidence based psychiatric and mental health services for infants, children adolescents, adults and older adults to promote research, training, and serve our patients. To honor our promise to always put our patients first and to be ever mindful of each patient’s dignity and individuality, we must also be at the forefront of transformative discovery and innovation in psychiatric care.

Job Summary

We are seeking a compassionate and experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to provide mental health support for medical staff, resident and fellow physicians, and UChicago Medicine faculty. This role involves offering individual and group therapy tailored to the unique stressors of healthcare professionals, including burnout, compassion fatigue, and work-life balance challenges. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the demands of the medical field and be skilled in evidence-based interventions to foster resilience and well-being.

Responsibilities

• Psychosocial Assessment Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to evaluate the emotional, mental, and social needs of clients. Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with medical and mental health teams.

• Individual Therapy Provide one-on-one psychotherapy (goal-focused, evidence-based, time-limited) to residents, faculty, and staff experiencing emotional or psychological distress. Possibility to lead group therapy if need arises or candidate is interested.

• Crisis Intervention Provide immediate support in crisis situations, including emotional distress, mental health crises, and interpersonal issues. Offer de-escalation techniques and referrals to appropriate resources when necessary.

• Collaboration and Teamwork Work closely with UChicago Medicine’s Graduate Medicine Education Office of Well-Being as well as the Office of Wellness and Vitality. administrators to ensure holistic care for patients and staff. Act as an advocate for residents and faculty within the medical center environment.

• Documentation and Reporting Maintain accurate and timely documentation of therapy sessions, assessments, and client progress. Comply with legal, ethical, and organizational standards in record-keeping.

• Manage a caseload of up to 30 patients per week.

• Review, analyze, interpret, and/or prepare federal and state laws, rules, regulations, Code of Ethics, policies and procedures as related to clinical social work.

• Participate in clinical and administrative staff meetings as appropriate.

• Interprets, monitors, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.

• Confidentiality Ensure confidentiality of all patient information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and medical center policies.

• Supportive Environment Promote a supportive and empathetic environment for residents, faculty, and staff to ensure their well-being and foster a healthy workplace culture.

• Maintains timely and complete electronic documentation as appropriate.

• Exercises discretion and confidentiality while handling sensitive situations.

• Reviews, analyzes, interprets, and/or prepares federal and state laws, rules, regulations, Code of Ethics, policies and procedures as related to clinical social work.

• Provides clinical supervision of trainees as needed and as appropriate.

• Interprets, monitors, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.

• Has moderate level of authority to refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience working within a large complex healthcare organization.

• Experience with crisis intervention and trauma-informed care.

• Experience providing care in a fast-paced outpatient, community, or clinical setting.

Licenses and Certifications:

• LCSW Illinois licensure or license eligible.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong clinical skills and knowledge of therapeutic modalities (CBT, DBT, ACT, solution-focused therapy, etc.).

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with individuals and interdisciplinary teams.

• Knowledge of medical terminology, healthcare settings, stages of medical training and the impact of burnout and secondary traumatic stress on mental health.

• Ability to maintain professionalism and emotional resilience in a fast-paced, challenging environment.

• Knowledge of diverse populations and capacity for cultural humility in the provision of care and collaboration.

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, Code of Ethics, policies, and procedures as related to social work.

• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and in compliance with confidentiality laws.

• Ability to manage caseloads and maintain effective time management practices.

• Ability to identify and seek consultation for issues related to dual relationships and other ethical issues that arise.

Working Conditions

• Requires the ability to work independently (e.g. manage schedule, seek consultation as needed).

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Healthcare & Medical Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

Yes

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$70,000.00 - $90,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in theBenefits Guidebook .

In addition to the base pay posted above, this position may be eligible for Department’s incentive compensation plan based on clinical productivity performance.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu .Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.