Social Services Specialist

Sea Mar Community Health Centers•Federal Way, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Sea Mar Community Health Centers is seeking a full-time Social Services Specialist for its MSS Department in Federal Way, WA. This role involves conducting initial screenings and comprehensive psychosocial assessments, developing intervention plans, providing brief treatment, offering transition services for long-term counseling, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary Maternity Support Services team. The productivity expectation is 20 or more client encounters per week.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
Current Certified Counselor through the State of Washington Department of Health or Chemical Dependency Counselor.
Experience working with underserved populations (e.g., limited English speaking skills, homeless, migrant and seasonal workers).
Experience coordinating timely referral to behavioral health services when patients require services beyond brief intervention.
Experience working with patients who have substance use disorders, chronic mental illness, and those who require crisis intervention.
Experience working with safety-net providers within the community and broad knowledge of community resources.
Knowledge of evidence-based screening tools (PHQ 9, GAD 7, AUDIT, DAST, etc.) and ability to use these tools for appropriate level of care interventions and referrals.
Good working knowledge and skills in using electronic health record platforms, external registries, and Microsoft suite of programs.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English/Spanish is preferred, but not required.
Must be open to using an interpreter.

Responsibilities

Introduce clients to integrated MSS services (in home or at clinic) and perform systematic social services screening to determine current status and needs.
Make referrals to appropriate agencies/services or provide information and assist clients for self-referral based on identified needs.
Provide advocacy as needed to encourage participation in implementing the care plan or to resolve problems interfering with active participation.
Chart notes of services provided as required by the state and agency in Sea Mar's Electronic Health Records.
Assist clients in accomplishing tasks necessary to access services, such as filling out forms or obtaining documentation.
Maintain professional standards and follow the treatment policies and procedures of the agency, as well as applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Complete a thorough, culturally sensitive, psychosocial assessment including personal history, family functioning, support systems, and basic physical needs.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to provide input on assessed psychosocial needs and on interdisciplinary team plans for clients, aiming to build family strengths and resiliency.