Clinician/Social Workers - Dedham

Partial Hospitalization Program - Adult Mental Health Program

Bournewood Health Systems is seeking a Social Worker/Clinician for our Adult Ambulatory Program at Dedham, MA.    The incumbent’s prime responsibilities will be to provide direct clinical service to assigned Bournewood Health Systems Ambulatory patients, inclusive of individual and family treatment interventions, case management, disposition planning, care consultation and utilization review. Is responsible for initial assessments for each patient and treatment planning. Meets with other disciplines regarding patients treatment plan. Consults on an as needed basis with other team members around issues of his/her expertise, including case management and disposition planning. Leads psychotherapy and/or psycho-educational groups for Ambulatory patients.

Bournewood is committed to a philosophy and an environment of care in which we treat people with dignity, respect and mutuality; protect their rights; provide the best care possible; support them in returning to their natural communities; and include patients and families as partners in their treatment. Our philosophy stands for providing a safe and therapeutic environment for patients, families and staff in which restraint and seclusion are prevented through the use of a range of resources and tools. Incumbent is required to support this philosophy and guide staff in delivering trauma-informed care to the individuals we serve.  

Minimum Qualifications:  LICSW is required; Partial Hospitalization experience is preferred.

Essential Functions:

1. Meets with patients as indicated to complete the written assessment within 24 hours of patient admission.
2. Utilizes information and assessment in developing an aftercare plan based on needs.
3. Assumes role of social worker for those patients assigned.
4. Communicates findings and progress of individual sessions, family therapy, and disposition planning to treatment team.
5. Provides consultation to outpatient providers for patient and involved agencies as needed.
6. Advocates for and educates family about resources and agency involvement to provide recommended levels of services upon discharge.
7. Coordinates information and interventions between all disciplines within the team
8. Maintains daily progress notes in chart.
9. Facilitates assigned group therapy and/or psycho-educational groups.
10. Initiates and updates treatment plans on assigned patients.
11. When indicated, involves family and/or supports in aftercare planning and educational interventions.
12. When patient is involved in ongoing outpatient therapy, initiates contact with outpatient therapist with patients permission. Provides consultation to the outpatient therapist during the patients PHP/IOP stay at a mutually agreed upon frequency.
13. When a patient is involved with an agency or private treatment program, initiates contact with appropriate providers.
14. Makes recommendations for the level of care and structure patient needs upon discharge and actively educates patients and family (when indicated) with respect to those needs and identifies resources for meeting the patients needs. Advocates for agency involvement when necessary.
15. When needed, organizes a meeting of all those providing outpatient services to the patient before discharge.
16. When child abuse or neglect is suspected, notifies the proper authorities following Massachusetts Law and professional standards of practice. When neglect or abuse of a disabled person and or the elderly is suspected and disclosed directly to the social worker s/he notifies the proper authorities following Massachusetts Law and professional standards of practice.
17. Maintains communications with and coordinates information and interventions with team disciplines, including psychiatry, nursing and rehabilitation services.
18. Establishes aftercare appointments with providers and communicates these to the patient and family. At times, these may be more effectively organized by others and this will be documented.
19. Conducts utilization review on assigned cases
20. Is responsible for initial assessments for each assigned patient.
21. Meets with other disciplines regarding patients treatment plan.
22. Consults on an as needed basis with other team members around issues of her/his expertise including case management.
23. Coordinates drug screening for individuals as assigned
24. Any other duties as assigned by Supervisor
    
    Essential Competencies:
25. Knowledge of major mental illness, i.e. schizophrenia and the impact of family.
26. Knowledge of developmental stages and clinical implications regarding abandonment.
27. Knowledge and understanding of biological and sociocultural changes influencing the aged (geriatric population), adults and adolescents
28. Knowledge of chemical dependency treatment issues
29. Knowledge of family systems dynamics
30. Knows Hospital, department and Ambulatory policies and procedures, JC, DMH, DPH and BSAS regulations regarding patient rights and clinical interventions
31. Is competent in delivering patient care that is trauma informed and patient centered. As indicated by:
    • An ability to provide care that is kind, collaborative and compassionate.
    • An ability to defuse power struggles
    • An ability to assess clients for a history of trauma
    • An ability to recognize/assess a range of trauma-related behaviors or symptoms
    • An ability to implement trauma-sensitive interventions with people served

Physical Criteria:

1. Must be able to walk between buildings
2. Must be able to climb stairs
3. Must be able to provide crisis intervention techniques when necessary
4. Must be able to use telephone
   
   Reports to: Ambulatory Manager