Social Worker - Palliative Care - Therapist

University of Rochester • Rochester, NY

249d • $63,003 - $80,600

About The Position

The Social Worker Therapist is an integral member of the Palliative Care interdisciplinary team at URMC. The Social Worker Therapist provides short-term comprehensive mental health services to referred palliative care patients, which includes screening, assessment (psychosocial and diagnostic), psychotherapy, and evidence-based interventions and treatment planning. At times, this could also include referral to specialty psychiatric, substance use, pain coping and other relevant services. Depending upon their interests, skill, and experience, the Social Worker Therapist may contribute to the division's Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (Pal-KAP) Program. The Social Worker Therapist also collaborates closely with the outpatient Palliative Care team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and office staff. In this role, the Social Worker Therapist may also need to partner with medical social work to identify high risk patients with mental health and medical comorbidities and contributes to a unified person-centered treatment plan with the goal of improving the patient's overall health and well-being. As appropriate and indicated, the Social Worker Therapist may participate in weekly peer consultation meetings; ad hoc case reviews and patient-family/team meetings; monthly in-person or virtual URMC Palliative Care Grand Rounds and Schwartz Center Rounds; and opportunities to both offer and receive education and support.

Requirements

• Licensure as a social worker, as defined by the State Board for Social Work, State Education department, Division of Professional Licensing Services is required.
• Licensure as LCSW/LCSW-R is required due to billing structure.
• Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work (CSWE) required.
• 3 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Nice To Haves

• Strong clinical skills and knowledge of evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions preferred.
• Previous experience with seriously ill or dying patients, palliative care and/or hospice is preferred.
• Commitment to and routine demonstration of biopsychosocial approach to care of individuals and families preferred.
• Dedication to delivering a team-based integrated model of care preferred.
• Demonstrates cultural humility and anti-racism values and works toward ensuring all patients feel welcome preferred.

Responsibilities

• Under general direction and with considerable latitude for independent judgment performs complex psychosocial assessments and diagnostic formulations for patients when indicated.
• Provides evidenced based mental health treatment and education to patient and families in modalities such as individual, family and/or group therapy.
• Ensures the development and implementation of comprehensive and individualized treatment plans for patients with clearly defined therapeutic goals.
• Participates collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team to provide coordinated care.
• Offers longitudinal interventions with patients including functional and strength-based assessment and diagnosis; psychoeducation for patients and their support systems; medication adherence; motivational interviewing; and brief problem-solving interventions.
• Documents interventions in the patient's chart in compliance with Departmental and Hospital policy and regulations.
• Supports efforts for mental health screening for depression, anxiety and substance use.
• Attends Social Work Division and Program staff meetings and participates in activities of the Social Work and Palliative Care Division.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of, and follows all Discipline, Division, and Department of Medicine policies and procedures.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Master's degree
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees