Community Engagement Specialist / Social Work Specialist I - Iowa CONNECT - Psychiatry

UIOWA • Iowa City, IA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Iowa Department of Psychiatry is seeking a Social Work Specialist I to serve as the Community Engagement Specialist for Iowa CONNECT, a new SAMHSA-funded program for adolescents and young adults ages 12–25 who may be at clinical high risk for psychosis. The position is the program’s primary point of contact for referrals and inquiries and combines approximately 75% community engagement, outreach, referral management, and partnership development with 25% clinical work.

The specialist will build referral partnerships throughout Iowa, review and track referrals, communicate with youth, families, providers, and community partners, and support young people in moving from referral to screening, assessment, and appropriate care. The role also includes clinical assessment and/or evidence-informed treatment for enrolled participants, care coordination, consultation, documentation, and participation in multidisciplinary case consultation and program planning.

This is a hybrid position combining in-person and remote work within Iowa. Regular travel throughout the state is required for outreach, training, and partnership development. Approved program travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with University of Iowa policy. Work arrangements are reviewed annually and must comply with the university’s remote work and employee travel policies.

Iowa CONNECT provides youth- and family-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed specialty services. The program emphasizes early identification, shared decision-making, and helping young people remain engaged in relationships, school, work, and community life. Team members receive specialized training and work together through regular case consultation and program meetings.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work.
• Current license to practice social work in Iowa.
• Considerable social work experience (3–5 years).
• At least one year of experience providing behavioral-health services to adolescents and their families.
• Experience providing clinical assessment, therapy, case management, or related behavioral-health services.
• Strong interpersonal, consultation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong public-speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with healthcare professionals, educators, families, and community organizations.
• Ability to independently manage multiple partnerships and referrals and follow them through to completion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly within Iowa.
• Current valid driver’s license and ability to meet University Driving Policy Standards.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of experience providing behavioral-health services to adolescents and their families.
• Experience working with young adults.
• Experience with psychosis, early psychosis, clinical high risk for psychosis, serious mental illness, or coordinated specialty care.
• Experience conducting community outreach, professional education, provider consultation, or partnership development.
• Experience working with schools, colleges, primary care, community mental-health providers, or other youth-serving systems.
• Training in SIPS/Mini-SIPS, CBT for psychosis/CHR-P, or related approaches.
• Experience working with rural communities or developing regional or statewide referral networks.
• Experience supervising or mentoring students or trainees.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary contact for Iowa CONNECT referrals and inquiries from youth, families, clinicians, schools, and community partners.
• Review referrals, gather relevant information and records as needed, and help determine next steps for screening and assessment.
• Track referrals from initial contact through screening, assessment, eligibility determination, and connection to services.
• Follow up with youth and families who have not completed next steps and help address barriers to engagement.
• Communicate referral status and next steps to referring providers and families.
• Facilitate warm connections to alternative services for people who are ineligible for Iowa CONNECT or need a different level of care.
• Consult with the Project Director/psychiatrist and clinical team about complex referrals and eligibility questions.
• Develop and lead the program’s statewide community-engagement and referral-development strategy.
• Build and maintain partnerships with mental-health providers, first-episode psychosis programs, primary-care practices, schools, colleges, universities, and other youth-serving organizations.
• Develop clear and accessible referral pathways into Iowa CONNECT.
• Provide education and consultation about clinical high risk for psychosis, early identification, screening, assessment, and referral.
• Develop and deliver trainings and presentations for healthcare providers, educators, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Travel throughout Iowa to meet referral partners, provide training and education, and strengthen regional referral pathways.
• Identify access barriers in rural and underserved communities and help develop strategies involving telehealth, transportation supports, and community partnerships.
• Track referral sources, outreach activities, outcomes, and barriers to care, and use the data to guide outreach.
• Work with an outreach-focused graduate trainee assisting with contact tracking, materials, outreach logistics, and follow-up.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, program planning, and quality-improvement activities.
• Provide clinical assessment and/or evidence-informed treatment to adolescents and young adults enrolled in Iowa CONNECT.
• Work collaboratively with adolescents, young adults, and families experiencing emerging changes in mental health and functioning.
• Participate in specialized CHR-P assessment and treatment training, weekly multidisciplinary case consultation, and treatment planning.
• Consult with community clinicians about youth with possible CHR-P presentations.
• Coordinate care with families, schools, clinicians, and other community providers.
• Support transitions to first-episode psychosis or other services when clinically indicated.
• Maintain timely and appropriate clinical documentation.

Benefits

• Comprehensive employee benefits
• Retirement options
• Paid leave
• Professional-development opportunities
• Resources and stability of a major academic medical center and public university
• Reimbursement of approved program travel expenses in accordance with University of Iowa policy

What This Job Offers

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