Per Diem Psych Social Worker-Senior Behavioral Health

Bristol Hospital Group • Bristol, CT

3d

About The Position

The Psych Social Worker provides psychiatric and mental health assessment and treatment for adult patients on the Adult Behavioral Health Unit. Using intake data, interviews, patient history, and other clinical information, the social worker assesses needs, selects appropriate therapeutic approaches, and develops and implements treatment plans intended to relieve symptoms and support patient and family well-being.

The role works with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team to provide direct care, group and milieu interventions, crisis intervention, discharge planning, referrals, and continuity of care. It also includes thorough and timely documentation, participation in program improvement and staff development, and independent professional practice consistent with hospital and regulatory policies.

The schedule is 40 hours, Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturdays. The position involves frequent interaction with patients and staff in a stressful psychiatric milieu, generally in a normal office environment, with occasional travel to other agencies and institutions. Employees need to use dictating equipment, fax machines, and copiers.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW).
• At least an internship in a psychiatric setting as part of a Master of Social Work program.
• Connecticut State Social Work licensure: LMSW or LCSW.
• Ability to perform group leadership and psychotherapeutic interventions.
• Minimum attendance of 75% at both group supervision and clinical supervision.
• Excellent comprehension and written and verbal communication skills; ability to organize, synthesize, and use data.
• Highly developed ability to assess, analyze, and interpret complex patient information and formulate it into a theoretical framework for treatment.
• Ability to make professional and ethical judgments; high emotional stability and maturity.
• Completion of general orientation at hire and annual fire, safety, and infection-control education, along with other hospital-mandated programs.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other disciplines in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of adult patient care.
• Complete clinical and psychosocial assessments of assigned patients within 24 hours of admission or unit guidelines, and complete family assessments within one week of the treatment team’s recommendation.
• Collaborate with the treatment team in a timely manner, including promptly communicating crisis information and communicating non-crisis information within 24 hours.
• Participate in developing, reassessing, and revising patient-specific treatment plans, and coordinate other disciplines’ treatment approaches with the current plan.
• Provide direct care using therapeutic and supportive techniques to relieve symptoms and support independent, family, and social functioning.
• Evaluate interventions and communicate their effects to the treatment team; individualize treatment to patient and family needs.
• Provide assigned group interventions and initiate appropriate milieu-based interventions; evaluate patients daily for needed interventions.
• Maintain continuity of patient care in coordination with other disciplines and respond effectively to crises.
• Develop therapeutic and supportive relationships with patients and families in accordance with professional standards.
• Implement discharge planning with patients, families, and community contacts; coordinate inter-agency transfers, follow-up appointments, and transportation; provide instructions and resource referrals.
• Maintain records according to policy and procedure, documenting assessments, interventions, group sessions, and treatment-plan recommendations at the time they occur.
• Accept accountability for performance and follow unit, hospital, and regulatory policies, procedures, and standards; perform duties independently with little or no direct supervision.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adjust work schedule to workload; evaluate the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of patient care and recommend monitoring or evaluation tools and procedures.
• Assist with orientation and training of new or inexperienced staff, stay current on departmental and unit changes, and assist with program management development.
• Identify problems, propose and implement solutions, take responsibility for special projects or work groups, and inform the supervisor of their status.
• Provide in-service education to staff when program changes require additional knowledge or skills.
• Support multidisciplinary teamwork, promote cooperation, help resolve conflicts, and communicate with coworkers in a tactful, respectful, and constructive manner.
• Maintain professional development by evaluating strengths and weaknesses, developing a learning plan, attending available educational sessions within budget limits, remaining current in the field, and seeking feedback.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Paid leave
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with company matching
• Company-paid life insurance
• Employee assistance programs
• Wellness programs
• Additional perks, with eligibility and coverage varying by role and employment status

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level