Clinical Social Service Director

Freedom Behavioral Hospital of Bunkie • Bunkie, LA

26d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Social Service Director is responsible for the functioning and communication of the social service department and serves as an integral professional member of the multidisciplinary team. The director supervises social service interventions and oversees work performed by the Discharge Planner, Case Manager, Activity Therapist, and other social service employees. The role collaborates with clinical departments and consults with medical and nursing staff, including the DON, to address patient concerns and ensure high-quality services, programming, and support for patients’ social needs.

The director applies facility policies, demonstrates knowledge of cognitive, emotional, developmental, social, and behavioral disorders, and contributes to crisis intervention, special case conferences, family communication, and treatment-team leadership. The role maintains departmental performance-improvement activities, participates in quality-management activities, upholds ethical standards and patient rights, coordinates with outside agencies, and helps formulate the department’s budgetary needs.

The work takes place in a smoke-free behavioral-health facility. Employees may encounter fumes or airborne particles, cleaning chemicals, dust, mist, and noise ranging from moderate to high. The role involves working inside a building for approximately 75% or more of the time. A tuberculosis test must be documented during new-hire orientation and annually thereafter. The position has potential exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or tissues (Exposure Category II).

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
• Social work license issued by the applicable state regulatory body.
• One year of experience performing social worker duties in a behavioral-health setting.
• Effective verbal communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and comprehend written instructions and follow verbal instructions.
• Proficient knowledge of PC computers.
• Basic understanding of DSM-V diagnostic criteria.
• Basic understanding of medical and psychiatric diagnoses and conditions.
• Required documentation includes photo ID, Social Security card or driver’s license, primary-source verification of education, and a copy of clinical license.
• CPR certification and Behavioral Management Training.
• Provide documentation of a tuberculosis test during new-hire orientation and annually thereafter.
• Ability to stand for moderate periods, potentially 60–80% of a work shift, and sit for at least four hours.
• Ability to walk and to lift or carry items that may exceed 10 pounds.
• Ability to reach, handle, finger, feel, talk, hear, and see as described in the job posting.

Nice To Haves

• The posting labels the knowledge, skills, and experience section as preferred; it lists a master’s degree in Social Work, state social work licensure, and one year of social-worker experience in a behavioral-health setting.

Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility for the functioning and communication of the social service department.
• Supervise social service interventions and oversee interventions performed by the Discharge Planner, Case Manager, Activity Therapist, and other social service employees.
• Collaborate with clinical departments and consult with medical staff, the DON, and nursing staff.
• Facilitate resolution of concerns identified among patients and help ensure services, programming, and social needs meet high standards of care.
• Understand and interpret facility policies and ensure they are followed.
• Perform crisis intervention, special case conferences, and family communication, and take a lead role in the treatment-team process.
• Maintain performance-improvement activities within the department and participate in quality-management activities.
• Uphold ethical standards regarding patient care and rights and facilitate communication with outside agencies to support patients’ rights, care, and needs.
• Assist with formulating the social service department’s budgetary needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager