PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER

Cook County Health • Chicago, IL

278d • $40,623 - $48,991

About The Position

Under the direction of the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, the Psychiatric Social Worker will provide behavioral health assessment, determine safety (for psychiatric hospitalization), provide supportive psychotherapy, and recommend outpatient treatment under the guidance of the back-up psychiatrist or ambulatory physician. Specifically, the incumbent will provide initial psychiatric consultations, crisis management, therapeutic support and psychotherapy for patients on all inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings for the Cook County Health & Hospitals System (CCHHS).

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university focusing on clinical social work with a concentration on mental health is required.
• License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) in the State of Illinois is required.
• Two (2) years of prior experience as a Social Worker performing individual therapy to individuals who have mental illness in a mental health setting is required.
• Experience using evidence-based counseling techniques (e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Problem-Solving Therapy (PST)) is required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with patients who have co-occurring mental health, substance abuse, and physical health problems is preferred.
• Certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Counselor or Board Registered as a Mental Illness-Substance Abuse Counselor (MISA I, MISA II) is preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supports and closely coordinates mental health care with the patients' primary care provider and, when appropriate, other treating mental health providers.
• Screens and assesses patients for common mental health and substance abuse disorders.
• Monitors patients (in person or by telephone) for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects or complications.
• Support psychotropic medication management prescribed by Primary Care Physicians (PCPs), focusing on treatment adherence, side effects and other complications, and effectiveness of treatment.
• Provides brief interventions using evidence-based techniques such as Behavioral Activation, Problem-Solving Treatment, Motivational Interviewing, or other treatments appropriate for primary care settings.
• Participates in regularly scheduled (usually weekly) caseload consultation with the Psychiatric Consultant and communicate resulting treatment recommendations to the patient's PCP.
• Facilitates treatment plan changes for patients who are not improving as expected in consultation with the PCP and the Psychiatric Consultant.
• Assesses information, apply critical thinking to determine course of action, and relay this information to patients, families, and clinical staff in a professional and compassionate manner.
• Identifies professional goals and enhances job-related skills through staff development activities.
• Actively participates in team activities, in the larger hospital and in the community in ways that make a positive contribution to team operations.
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries with all staff, trainees, and patients at all times.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Hospitals
• Education Level: Master's degree