Clinical Social Worker (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut•Bridgeport, CT

About The Position

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a Clinical Social Worker for the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) Forensic Team in Bridgeport. The role provides independent clinical social work services as part of a multidisciplinary behavioral health team. Work includes court, office, and community-based services for people with criminal justice system involvement, including individuals involved with the Psychiatric Security Review Board and people deemed incompetent to stand trial who are referred for outpatient restoration-to-competency treatment. SWCMHS provides inpatient, outpatient, assertive community treatment, and community support services for adults with severe behavioral health disabilities, as well as crisis intervention and outreach services. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required following a conditional offer of employment.

Requirements

Licensure as a clinical social worker in the State of Connecticut.
Possess and retain a license to practice clinical social work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (m-z) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. § 1320a-7b(f).
Knowledge of social work methodology, casework, group work, and community mobilization.
Knowledge of family and interpersonal relationship dynamics; professional social work values, sanctions, purposes, and ethics; social, cultural, economic, medical, psychological, and legal issues affecting clients and families; mental illnesses; and treatment approaches.
Strong interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills.
Ability to devise and implement treatment plans with measurable goals and independently apply current psychiatric treatment modalities to client needs.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting clinical assessments and developing treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
Experience applying de-escalation techniques during crisis intervention.
Experience delivering formal presentations or providing testimony in hearings, including forensic or clinical matters.
Experience applying ethical considerations in clinical practice, including confidentiality and informed consent.
Experience using community resources and managed care systems to support clients.
Experience with mental health disorders, substance use issues, and trauma-informed care of forensically involved individuals.
Experience collaborating with community providers, local hospitals, police departments, and outpatient clinical teams.

Responsibilities

Conduct psychosocial assessments through clinical interviews with clients and families, considering developmental, social, cultural, substance use, psychological, environmental, and medical issues.
Develop treatment plans with measurable treatment objectives.
Provide triage, crisis intervention, individual, group, and/or family therapy, screening, and planning.
Advocate for clients and develop networks of social and clinical services to address identified needs.
Monitor and evaluate treatment-plan effectiveness and document treatment in clinical records.
Complete reports in accordance with agency and accrediting-body requirements.
Provide clinical supervision to Licensed Master Social Workers.
Consult and collaborate with other behavioral health providers to improve service delivery.
Conduct forensic evaluations and provide court testimony as required.
Maintain required social work treatment and practice standards.
Participate in research projects as needed.
Perform related duties as required.