Clinical Social Worker (Project RESPECT Clinic)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Boston Medical Center's Project RESPECT program is seeking a Clinical Social Worker to support pregnant and parenting persons with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). The Clinical Social Worker will have a primary focus on increasing access to and retention in care for patients of color as part of a wider initiative for advancing health equity for pregnant womxn of color with SUD.

Under the supervision of the Project RESPECT Program Manager and as an integrated part of the Project RESPECT Clinical Team- the Clinical Social Worker will support patients and families in recovery in the ambulatory OB/GYN clinic, inpatient units, and in the community. Direct practice responsibilities include: completing psychosocial assessments and treatment planning, therapeutic interventions delivered in both group and individual formats, referrals to appropriate concrete resources, psychoeducation, and advocacy. The Clinical Social Worker will also work collaboratively with all members of the multidisciplinary team and with key community stakeholders to ensure wrap around care is provided to meet medical and behavioral health goals of patients.

Position: Clinical Social Worker (Project RESPECT Clinic)

Department: OBGYN

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Therapeutic Interventions & Clinical Assessment

• Engage pregnant and postpartum persons with SUD, with emphasis on equitable access for racially and socially marginalized populations.

• Complete psychosocial assessments and link patients to appropriate levels of treatment and recovery support.
• Explain role and provide clinical support across the outpatient clinic, inpatient units, Emergency Department, and community-based settings when appropriate.
• Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients based on biopsychosocial needs and recovery goals.
• Provide psychoeducation and assist in skill building on variety of topics including but not limited to: healthy relationships, bonding/attachment/attunement, child welfare involvement, trauma, anxiety management, and impulse control/affect regulation
• Utilize motivational interviewing and motivational enhancement strategies to increase engagement in treatment and behavior change.
• Maintain ongoing therapeutic contact with patients and families, including outreach when care plans change or when additional support is needed.
• Assess and respond to sensitive psychosocial concerns related to the perinatal period, including interpersonal violence, exploitation, grief and loss, trauma, and fear of child custody involvement.
• Demonstrate knowledge of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, perinatal behavioral health needs, and recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Support pregnant and parenting patients with complex medical and psychiatric needs using a strengths-based and family-centered approach.
• Assist patients in authoring and implementing Plans of Safe Care (PoSC) that meet CAPTA requirements and highlight protective factors and recovery progress.

Care Coordination & Collaboration

• Coordinate referrals with treatment facilities and community partners by identifying availability, eligibility criteria, and required documentation.

• Establish and maintain an open communication with community-based organizations, other appropriate BMC departments, providers and services, and other potential resources.
• Conduct community outreach to provide information on Project RESPECT services and connect with patients always with attention to possible safety risk for self, client, and colleagues. *
• Communicate regularly with child welfare workers, behavioral health providers, residential treatment facilities, and internal departments to ensure wraparound care.
• Participate in weekly interdisciplinary clinical team meetings and support program improvement, care planning, and case review.
• Provide follow-up phone calls to support patients through referral and engagement processes and assist in overcoming barriers to care.

Documentation & Compliance

• Document assessments, treatment interventions, treatment plans, referrals, and outcomes in the electronic health record per hospital policy.

• Collect state- and grant-required data and maintain accurate tracking of required documentation and deadlines, when applicable.
• Consult and collaborate with healthcare team members to ensure that patient's medical and psychiatric needs are addressed.
• Participate in weekly clinical team meetings, rounds, and departmental meetings
• Complete clerical responsibilities such as returning phone calls, preparing records, and conducting reminder and follow-up outreach when necessary.
• Adhere to hospital standards of conduct, including patient rights, privacy practices, and infection control protocols.

Professional Development

• Maintain competency in clinical practice through continuing education and adherence to licensure requirements.

• Receive ongoing training and supervision related to evidence-based treatment for SUD and perinatal behavioral health, applying learned principles in practice.
• Participate in training and supervision of interns or trainees, when appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support clinic operations.
• Collaborate with program leadership in research and evaluation initiatives by assisting with data collection, tracking patient outcomes, and contributing to quality improvement efforts when relevant to clinical care.

Must adhere to all of BMC's RESPECT behavioral standards.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Requires Master's Degree from an accredited school of Social Work.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Requires a Massachusetts Licensed Certified Social Worker, LICSW preferred

EXPERIENCE:

Requires level of knowledge of Social Work process and community resources and agencies in relation to health, illness, and disability, generally acquired through one to two years on-the-job training.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of community resources and agencies that serve the children and families.
• Experience with group therapy facilitation preferred
• Advanced interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with various healthcare professionals, to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families, and to supervise graduate students.
• Must be comfortable in a fast paced and dynamic work environment (sense of humor is valued).
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of racial and ethnic populations. Bicultural/Bilingual competency preferred
• Computer literacy with ability to use standard word processing, spreadsheet programs and e-mail (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Outlook) and web browsers.

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being.

NOTE: This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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