Director of Social Work

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) provides comprehensive clinical social work services to participants in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), including psychosocial assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, case management, and supportive services. Working with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), the LCSW develops, implements, and evaluates individualized care plans addressing participants’ emotional, psychological, social, environmental, and behavioral health needs. The role supports participant independence and quality of life, assists family caregivers, and helps participants remain safely in their communities whenever possible. The LCSW provides services in compliance with applicable Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations, Louisiana licensing requirements, organizational policies, and professional social work standards. Work may take place in an office, clinical, participant-home, and community-based settings, with home visits and meetings at various locations as required. The role also includes maintaining clinical documentation and licensure, participating in quality improvement and regulatory activities, completing required training, and performing other related duties consistent with the position, licensure, and organizational needs.

Requirements

Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Current, active, unrestricted Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners; must maintain licensure in good standing.
At least five years of experience providing social work services in a healthcare setting.
At least three years of experience working with frail older adults or elderly populations.
Experience providing clinical assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, and case management.
Experience working with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Strong clinical assessment, counseling, and crisis intervention skills.
Knowledge of geriatric mental health and psychosocial needs.
Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and complex medical conditions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to maintain accurate, organized, and timely documentation.
Strong critical thinking, clinical judgment, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team.
Knowledge of confidentiality requirements, professional ethics, and mandatory reporting responsibilities.
Proficiency in electronic medical records and standard computer applications.
Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to urgent participant needs.
Ability to work in office, clinical, participant-home, and community-based environments; sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the PACE center during the workday.
Ability to perform participant home visits and attend meetings at various locations as required.
Ability to communicate effectively with participants who may have hearing, cognitive, or communication impairments.
Successful completion of required pre-employment screening and background checks, including applicable OIG and other exclusion screenings.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable motor vehicle record when driving is an essential function of the position.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of clinical social work experience.
Experience in a PACE program, geriatric healthcare, long-term care, behavioral health, or community-based healthcare setting.
Knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Familiarity with CMS regulations and participant-centered care planning.
Experience working with participants diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other cognitive impairments.

Responsibilities

Conduct initial and ongoing psychosocial assessments of PACE participants, evaluating mental health, emotional well-being, cognitive functioning, social supports, and environmental needs.
Identify psychosocial barriers affecting participants’ health, safety, independence, or quality of life.
Develop, implement, and update individualized care plans with the IDT; participate in reassessments and care plan reviews.
Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in participant medical records.
Provide individual and family counseling within the scope of professional licensure.
Assess and support participants experiencing emotional or behavioral health challenges, including depression, anxiety, grief, and adjustment concerns.
Provide crisis intervention and referrals for psychiatric or psychosocial emergencies; identify and respond to risks involving self-harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or unsafe living conditions.
Help participants and families cope with chronic illness, disability, cognitive decline, and end-of-life concerns; coordinate mental health treatment with medical providers and behavioral health professionals.
Serve as an active PACE IDT member, participating in meetings, case conferences, and care discussions; communicate significant psychosocial changes to the team.
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, therapists, home care coordinators, and other disciplines, providing clinical recommendations and strategies that support continuity of care and reduce avoidable hospitalizations.
Educate, counsel, and guide participants, caregivers, and families; assist them with healthcare decisions and accessing resources.
Facilitate family conferences and support participants’ rights, dignity, cultural preferences, autonomy, and informed decision-making.
Assist with advance care planning, guardianship concerns, and other relevant psychosocial issues within the scope of the position.
Coordinate access to community resources and social support programs, including assistance with housing concerns, financial resources, benefits navigation, and referrals.
Conduct participant home visits as needed to assess environmental safety and psychosocial needs.
Support transitions among home, hospital, skilled nursing facilities, and other care settings, including discharge and transition planning as applicable.
Comply with CMS PACE regulations, Louisiana regulations, organizational policies, confidentiality requirements, and professional standards.
Complete assessments, reassessments, progress notes, and care plan documentation within required timeframes.
Recognize and report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other reportable incidents in accordance with laws and policies.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives, internal audits, regulatory reviews, mandatory training, competency assessments, and annual performance evaluations.
Maintain current professional licensure and complete required continuing education.
Complete required pre-employment screening, background and exclusion checks, organizational orientation, compliance, safeguarding, and annual training.
Meet applicable employee health, safety, and infection prevention requirements; maintain a professional, respectful, participant-centered working environment.
Complete assigned work accurately and on time, respond promptly to participant safety concerns and urgent needs, and contribute to participant satisfaction and positive care outcomes.
Perform other related duties as assigned that are consistent with the position, professional licensure, and organizational needs.