Clinical Social Worker

Job description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Direct Patient Care
• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial, behavioral health, and risk assessments.
• Diagnose behavioral health and mental health disorders within the scope of LCSW licensure.
• Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary care team.
• Provide individual, family, and brief solution-focused psychotherapy utilizing evidence-based treatment modalities.
• Perform suicide risk, violence risk, and substance use assessments and implement appropriate interventions.
• Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and safety planning for patients experiencing acute behavioral health concerns.
• Monitor patient progress and modify treatment plans based on clinical response and outcomes.

Integrated Primary Care
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing staff, and care coordinators to integrate behavioral health into primary care services.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences and patient care planning.
• Consult with medical providers regarding behavioral health concerns affecting medical treatment and chronic disease management.
• Assist providers in identifying behavioral, social, and environmental factors impacting patient health outcomes.

Care Coordination
• Coordinate referrals to psychiatric providers, specialty behavioral health services, inpatient treatment, and community resources.
• Assist patients in accessing community services, financial assistance programs, housing resources, transportation, and social support services.
• Facilitate transitions of care following emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or behavioral health crises.
• Advocate for patients to ensure continuity of care and removal of barriers to treatment.

Documentation and Compliance
• Document clinical assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans, interventions, and patient progress in the electronic health record in accordance with organizational, state, federal, payer, and accreditation requirements.
• Maintain complete, timely, and accurate documentation to support reimbursement and regulatory compliance.
• Protect patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and applicable privacy regulations.

Behavioral Health Program Support
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives designed to improve behavioral health outcomes.
• Assist in developing workflows supporting integrated behavioral health services.
• Provide behavioral health education and consultation to clinic staff.
• Participate in departmental meetings, committees, and performance improvement activities.

Patient Education
• Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatment options, coping strategies, stress management, and available community resources.
• Promote patient self-management and wellness through education and supportive counseling.

Community Collaboration
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community behavioral health providers, social service agencies, schools, long-term care facilities, and public health organizations.
• Coordinate community resource referrals and follow-up services.

Professional Responsibilities
• Maintain Nevada LCSW licensure and continuing education requirements.
• Practice independently within the scope established by Nevada law, professional ethics, and organizational policies.
• Remain current on evidence-based behavioral health practices and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in mandatory education, competency assessments, and organizational training.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
The LCSW independently exercises professional judgment regarding:
• Behavioral health assessments
• Clinical diagnoses
• Treatment planning
• Crisis intervention
• Safety planning
• Community referrals
• Discharge recommendations
• Care coordination
• Clinical documentation
• Patient advocacy

The position refers operational issues to clinic leadership while maintaining independent clinical judgment within the scope of licensure.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED :
Knowledge
• Behavioral health assessment and diagnosis
• Crisis intervention
• Trauma-informed care
• Evidence-based counseling techniques
• Integrated behavioral health
• Rural Health Clinic regulations
• Community resources
• HIPAA
• Medicare/Medicaid documentation

Skills
• Clinical interviewing
• Motivational interviewing
• Conflict resolution
• Care coordination
• Crisis management
• Documentation
• Time management
• Interdisciplinary collaboration

Abilities
• Establish therapeutic relationships.
• Exercise sound independent clinical judgment.
• Prioritize multiple patient needs.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work effectively with diverse populations.
• Communicate effectively with providers, patients, and community partners.
• Respond appropriately in behavioral health emergencies.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS :
• Maintain active unrestricted Nevada LCSW license.
• Maintain required continuing education.
• Comply with hospital policies, CMS RHC regulations, and ethical standards.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED :
• Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program.
• Current Nevada LCSW licensure.
• Two years of clinical behavioral health experience preferred.