Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The EmPATH Child/Adolescent Social Worker is a member of the multi-disciplinary team responsible for providing social work-related services to the EmPATH unit and the outpatient office. The Social Worker is responsible for the coordination of care of the patient by interfacing regularly with various members of the patient's multi-disciplinary treatment team-- Emergency Department providers, psychiatrist, program manager, clinical RNs, and staff. The Social Worker provides assessment and case management services, including biopsychosocial and behavioral health assessments, treatment/discharge planning, group, individual, and family therapy. They provide assistance to both patients and families to meet related social and emotional needs for the psychiatric condition, treatment, and recovery. Additionally, they assist with obtaining needed resources and coordinating discharge plans for patients in collaboration with physicians, and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. Expedites transition from acute care to next level of care throughout the healthcare continuum and develops interventions if required. Maintains working knowledge of community resources and assists in obtaining needed resources. Maintains working knowledge of STATE Mental Health Law, as well as national, state, county, and community standard and follows legal guidelines in mandatory reporting. Serves as subject matter expert and resource expert for mental health law related to the involuntary treatment of patients in the acute care hospital. In addition, the LCSW serves as a resource for EmPATH staff, and staff throughout the hospital, regarding legal issues for psychiatric patients and is available to provide clinical training and education.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES/CRITICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Perform intake assessments for patients new to the EmPATH unit.
2. Provide direct treatment services to patients within the EmPATH unit and outpatient clinic utilizing appropriate modalities including individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis intervention.
3. Work closely and collaboratively with the program’s child and adolescent psychiatrist.
4. Participate in interdisciplinary diagnostic and treatment planning conferences, including case presentations, and make recommendations regarding the needs of the patient from a social work perspective.
5. Maintain established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
6. Acts as Treatment Coordinator for caseload of patients, providing psychotherapy, counseling, disposition/treatment planning and case management services as needed.
7. Demonstrates skill and flexibility in engaging all types of individuals in treatment utilizing a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques.
8. Regularly assesses the mental status of patients in their care to determine acuity of illness and danger to self or others and takes immediate action if needed. Seeks consultation and/or medical back-up when appropriate.
9. Brings any special problems or unmet needs to the attention of the Chair of Psychiatry and/or the Executive Director of the Service Line.
10. Maintains patient documentation in an accurate and timely fashion.
11. Completes billing in an accurate and timely manner.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

Required:

Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work.

Current CT license as an LCSW.

Minimum of 1-2 years of clinical experience with child and adolescent patient population.

American Heart Association recognized BLS – Healthcare Provider

Excellent interpersonal verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred :

2 or more years’ experience with providing outpatient psychotherapy.

Assaultive Patient training within 6 months of hire.

• Bilingual English/Spanish.

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