Senior Social Worker (LCSW) - Pediatrics High Risk (TMC)

UTHealth Houston•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker (LCSW) independently provides advanced professional social work services to pediatric patients with complex medical conditions and their families. Using a biopsychosocial approach, the social worker assesses medical, psychiatric, psychosocial, emotional, environmental, and financial concerns; advocates for patients and families; and implements, monitors, and evaluates services and individualized care plans. The role identifies family stressors, barriers to care, and community resource needs, and coordinates interventions to promote positive patient and family outcomes. The social worker collaborates with physicians and other multidisciplinary team members, provides counseling and crisis intervention, connects patients with appropriate professionals and community agencies, and educates healthcare providers about community resources and psychosocial factors affecting care. The position also contributes to teaching and staff development, including serving as an instructor in the social work graduate student clinical practicum program. Employees must permanently reside and work in Texas. This is a security-sensitive position.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work from a school approved by the Council on Social Work.
At least 4 years of social work experience.
At least 1 year of experience providing evidence-based, client-centered counseling, individually or in groups.
Texas Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Texas Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Knowledge of DSM-5 criteria.
Ability to permanently reside and work in Texas.
Ability to meet the security-sensitive position requirements.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients’ and families’ social, emotional, environmental, and financial needs.
Plan treatment or refer cases to appropriate professionals, institutions, or agencies to ensure appropriate care.
Obtain information from patients or relatives to understand problems and support teaching endeavors, programs, and social services.
Assess patients and relatives to understand their problems and needs in support of total patient care.
Collaborate with physicians and multidisciplinary team members to coordinate care, enhance the patient experience, and achieve shared goals.
Develop patient goals collaboratively, monitor progress, address barriers, and evaluate individualized care plan outcomes.
Conduct individual and group counseling.
Prepare detailed reports and, when applicable, videotape patient sessions for review with coworkers or a faculty member.
Participate in teaching and staff development, including instructing social work graduate students in clinical practicum.
Educate physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers about community resources and how psychosocial factors affect care needs.
Seek assistance from religious, social, and welfare agencies in treating patients.
Interact with social work staff and psychiatric residents.
Use crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and mediation to address patient and family concerns.
Respond to emergency situations.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

100% paid medical premiums for full-time employees.
Approximately 37–38 days per year of time off, including holidays, a preventative leave day, vacation, and sick time.
Increasing vacation accrual with length of service.
Longevity pay through monthly payments after two years of service.
Retirement/pension plan.
Free financial and legal counseling.
Free mental health counseling services.
Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs.
Employee discounts, including entertainment, car rentals, and cell phones.
Resources for child and elder care.