Therapeutic Services Manager-Social Work

Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University Medical Center seeks a seasoned social work leader to coordinate and elevate social work operations across departments. You will mentor clinicians, oversee training and supervision, and lead initiatives to improve workflows.

You will partner with HR on recruitment, retention, and professional development, and develop outcome measures for program evaluation. The role emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, quality assurance, and ongoing performance feedback to ensure

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work or related field.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Tennessee.
• 5+ years of social work leadership experience.
• Healthcare setting experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate social work operations.
• Mentor, train, and supervise staff; lead process improvements.
• Oversee internships, fellowships, and staff development.
• Manage recruitment and retention with HR and dept leaders.
• Develop department metrics and evaluate outcomes.
• Foster community partnerships and quality of service delivery.
• Conduct performance discussions and annual evaluations.

Skills

Mentorship

Clinical supervision

Process improvement

Program evaluation

Team leadership

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health

With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world‑class care to the people of the Mid‑South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization

VPH Therapeutic Services

Job Summary

Manages the coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of social work operations. Supports clinicians in meeting administrative and clinical standards through mentorship, training, clinical supervision, process improvement, and leading initiatives. Provides leadership to meet department and organizational goals, maintain performance standards, facilitates patient throughput, manages employee schedules to meet business needs including PRN, moonlighting, and on‑call as indicated. Oversees training programs such as internships, fellowships, grand rounds, and staff development. Manages positions, recruitment, and retention efforts in coordination with human resources and department leaders. Develops and monitors department outcome measures, program evaluation, and implements optimization of workflows to improve operations. Manages relationships with community partners. Oversees quality of service delivery through interdisciplinary collaboration, participation in strategic initiatives, routine chart reviews, and staff development meetings and individual check‑ins. Conducts routine performance discussions and annual evaluations.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintains knowledge of state licensing requirements, scope of practice, and best practices within the field.
• Maintains professional documentation which meets department and VUMC compliance standards.
• Acts as clinical liaison with patients, family, treatment team and community.
• Maintains confidentiality and privilege in accordance with TN state codes and statutes.
• Upholds ethical standards in accordance with relevant professional association’s code of ethics.
• Contributes to the organization by actively participating in and/or engaging in process improvement initiatives and shared decision making.
• Provides regularly scheduled supervision in accordance with the Tennessee Health Related Boards.
• Promotes clinical work within the organization and community (Grand Rounds, CEUs).
• Conducts quality reviews to ensure compliance with best practices and helps team to meet standards of care.
• Provides intradepartmental leadership and support.
• Develops and presents enterprise education, community education and/or presents at conferences and/or publishes in peer reviewed journals.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities

• RISK MANAGEMENT (EXPERT): Demonstrates full command of risk management in situations of a difficult nature for a major problem. Conducts analysis, identification, planning and control of risk management procedures and practices at the functional unit level that can adversely impact the business. Conducts prevention, contingency planning, and preparation of alternatives for normal problems. Displays knowledge of common risk identification methods such as objectives‑based, scenario‑based, taxonomy‑based and common‑risk checking.
• PATIENT ASSESSMENT (EXPERT): Demonstrates the uppermost levels of expertise in applying patient assessments in challenging and complex situations. Often takes a lead role in highly pressurized situations when there is a need to achieve results. Consistently delivers results in a creative and imaginative manner while setting a standard for others. Contributes to the development of best practices for the organization.
• PATIENT DIAGNOSIS (EXPERT): Demonstrates the uppermost levels of expertise in applying patient diagnosis in challenging and complex situations. Often takes a lead role in highly pressurized situations when there is a need to achieve results. Consistently delivers results in a creative and imaginative manner while setting a standard for others. Contributes to the development of best practices for the organization.
• CRISIS INTERVENTION (EXPERT): Demonstrates the uppermost levels of expertise in applying crisis intervention in challenging and complex situations. Often takes a lead role in highly pressurized situations when there is a need to achieve results. Consistently delivers results in a creative and imaginative manner while setting a standard for others. Contributes to the development of best practices for the organization.
• CLINICAL COUNSELING (EXPERT): Demonstrates the uppermost levels of expertise in applying clinical counseling in challenging and complex situations. Often takes a lead role in highly pressurized situations when there is a need to achieve results. Consistently delivers results in a creative and imaginative manner while setting a standard for others. Contributes to the development of best practices for the organization.
• PATIENT DOCUMENTATION - (EXPERT): Demonstrates mastery of patient documentation in practical applications of a difficult nature. Possesses sufficient knowledge training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering patient documentation services without requiring support and instruction from others. Able to train and educate by setting the example, giving technical instruction, providing leadership, and generally raising the level of performance of others while on the job.
• PEER LEADERSHIP – (EXPERT): Influences others and helps raise team productivity and individual performance while not in a position of authority. Takes specific action to foster teamwork and keep team motivated and informed. Contributes ideas and constructive commentary during staff meetings. Takes independent action to foster teamwork and keep peers motivated and informed. Builds a record of trust and fairness with peers. Receptive to innovative ideas and suggestions from others. Provides recognition to others for efforts and celebrates their achievements. Helps others who need direction or support, investing time and effort for the overall good of the team.

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid‑South.

Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Directs activities to achieve operational plans with some near term effect on results of the department/area.* Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Identifies issues, gathers facts to resolve technical and operational problems. * Breadth of Knowledge: Applies in-depth knowledge and skills of a professional/technical area and basic management knowledge to manage the work of the team.* Team Interaction: Leads a complex department with a focus on implementation. Typically executes on a short to medium term strategies.

Core Capabilities

Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas. - Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships. - Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences .Delivering Excellent Services : - Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them. - Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly. - Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches. - Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short‑term challenges. - Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Certifications

LIC-Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Tennessee

Work Experience

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level

5 years

Education

Master's (Required)

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well‑being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.