Addiction and Women's Health Clinical Social Worker

POSITION SUMMARY:

The main goal of this new position is to increase receipt of women’s health services by women who have substance use disorders. This includes assistance with accessing resources for family planning, pregnancy management, infection prevention and treatment, interpersonal violence, and commercial sexual exploitation. The role of the Grayken Addiction and Women’s Health Clinician involves engaging with women who are identified as having SUDs and assessing their need for women’s health services. It includes helping to increase the appropriate diagnosis of women who have SUDs, and to navigate the treatment system and obtain needed services.  It may also involve advocating across departments to obtain support for women with complex medical and psychological needs.  The role may involve performing substance use and psychosocial evaluations, developing treatment plans, and providing individual and group substance use treatment, case management and support services, including supported referrals to additional hospital and community based resources. Other duties include: Provides crisis intervention, mental health counseling, and patient education for women who have substance-related problems; arrange for resources to address intimate partner violence and clinical sexual exploitation; and act as a resource across BMC departments for those who are attempting to understand and access these services. Provides follow up care in person and via telephone when needed, proactively; Receives and reviews referrals into Grayken substance use treatment programs from multiple sources; Assists in educating referral sources about the Grayken Center for Addiction programs; Completes appropriate documentation and assessment tools with excellent record keeping; and Consistently uses clear concise and effective communication (written/oral) and complies with departmental policies when sharing/documenting relevant patient care data.

Position: Addiction and Women's Health Clinical Social Worker      

Department: Addiction Services

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Identify women within the BMC system who have needs related to substance use disorder and women’s health.
• Facilitate women receiving the care that they need for both SUD and women’s healthcare.
• Educate and inform patients about substance use referral options, resources and admission processes.
• Meet with patients to discuss substance use treatment and provide motivational enhancement to increase their motivation to attend substance use treatment.
• Be able to explore and address sensitive issues in women’s health, such as exposure to partner violence and exploitation, fear of loss of child custody, need for counseling about pregnancy options.
• Be able to work with patients with complex medical and psychiatric problems. Support women who are pregnant and are struggling with substance use.
• Possess knowledge and skill related to addressing substance use, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, violence, trauma, grief, loss and bereavement.
• Contact referral facilities to determine admissions availability and required documentation for admission.
• Consult with, collaborate and advise care management staff of referral options, requirements and procedures by attending care management rounds and other appropriate meetings.
• Provide follow-up phone calls to patients following clinical visit, to support patient through referral process, using motivation interviewing and overcoming obstacles to care, as appropriate.
• Document assessments, treatment plans, discharge plans, progress of referral process and follow-up in patients’ electronic medical record, and submit accurate and complete information for billing.
• Attend all necessary trainings to maintain proficiency and currency in state-wide substance use resources Perform other duties as assigned or as necessary.
• Supports intern training placement, including ensuring appropriate clinical supervision.

(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 DESCRIPTION CHARACTERISTICS

EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree in Social work

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Must either be licensed in Massachusetts as a LCSW within six months of hire or LICSW.

EXPERIENCE:

• Preferred experience working with patients with Substance Use Disorder Mental illness, and women's health.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge and experience in Motivational Interviewing and Harm Reduction and continuum of care of substance use services required.
• Strong interpersonal skills required, including ability to communicate with a range of medical personnel and quickly develop alliances with patients.
• Excellent verbal and written communication also required.
• Computer competency, inclusive of the ability to enter and access data, required.
• Experience working in a medical setting preferred.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to populations with substance use issues. Demonstrated flexibility with clients’ priorities, evolving needs and goals of program and sensitivity to ethnic, cultural, gender, sexual orientation values, beliefs, and behaviors.
• Inclusive, non-stigmatizing attitudes and speech are essential
• Bilingual/bicultural counselors are preferred; English proficiency required. Spanish/other language proficiency preferred.
• Basic knowledge of payor options for patients with substance use also preferred.

SOCWKR

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans