SOCIAL WORKER (LSW) | BEHAVIORIAL HEALTH SERVICES | Unit B-G | FULL-TIME FLEX SHIFT (23053)

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center • Paramus, NJ

12h • $37 - $61

About The Position

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is seeking a Licensed Social Worker for Behavioral Health Services. The Social Worker performs screening, intake, assessment, consultation, counseling, crisis intervention, case management, and discharge-planning services for patients and families. The role works with patients across inpatient, outpatient, emergency room, offsite, and potentially home settings, and collaborates with the healthcare team and community providers to address psychosocial needs and support continuity of care.

The Social Worker provides direct treatment and education, assesses family dynamics and treatment needs, connects patients with supportive services, advocates for patients, and contributes a social work perspective to diagnostic and treatment-planning conferences. The position also includes documentation and statistical reporting, community outreach and presentations, consultation, and clinical supervision of paraprofessional staff and students when assigned. The employee is expected to uphold departmental and Medical Center policies, quality and safety standards, infection control requirements, and customer service expectations.

Additional duties may include helping cover services when staff are absent, participating in department-approved research or quality studies, providing translation when able, transporting patients as needed, conducting community or in-home crisis intervention, and rotating for evening or night on-call coverage. Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required. The position is full-time with a flex shift; compensation is $37.10 to $60.60 per hour, commensurate with experience within the posted range.

Requirements

• One to two years of prior experience in psychiatric social work or a comparable experience, setting, or population, depending on assigned area.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a psychiatrically impaired population or people with addictions, as appropriate.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• English speaking, reading, and writing ability sufficient for the position.
• Heartsaver/CPR Certification is required.
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) license must be obtained within one year from the date of hire.
• Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work is required.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Frequent prolonged standing and walking; contact with patients in inpatient, outpatient, emergency room, offsite, and potentially home settings, as well as with families, visitors, and staff.

Nice To Haves

• Three to five years of experience preferred.
• Knowledge of a second language preferred.
• BLS Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform screenings, intake assessments, and consultations to evaluate individual and family dynamics and treatment needs, including admissions and referrals.
• Provide ongoing social work intervention and education to patients, families, and significant others regarding health-related psychosocial problems, based on agreed-upon goals.
• Use individual, family, and group work, as well as crisis intervention, to identify and address issues affecting treatment participation and discharge planning.
• Complete comprehensive psychosocial histories promptly.
• Provide direct treatment using appropriate modalities, including individual, family, and group counseling and crisis intervention, with consideration of patients’ age-appropriate growth and development.
• Advise the healthcare team on chemical dependence, psychiatric, and abuse-related issues; assess, treat, and refer patients facing child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, or elder abuse concerns, consistent with reporting rules and regulations.
• Provide case management for an assigned caseload to support treatment plans and help patients obtain supportive services and resources.
• Explain illnesses and prescribed treatment to patients and families, and communicate family issues to other staff members.
• Serve as a liaison to the healthcare team regarding family dynamics and facilitate timely, proactive discharge to home or another facility.
• Advocate for patients within Medical Center programs and connect patients and families with community providers and services.
• Present on field-related topics and Medical Center resources to schools, agencies, and other community organizations.
• Participate in interdisciplinary diagnostic and treatment-planning conferences, present cases, and recommend social work services and interventions.
• Complete case records, statistical reports, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
• Provide clinical supervision to paraprofessional staff and students when assigned.
• Provide consultation to Department of Psychiatry and Medical Center staff and community agencies regarding social work issues and services.
• Assist in developing discharge and post-hospital care plans, including recommendations for community resources.
• Maintain departmental policies and procedures, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control standards; identify policy gaps and develop needed policies and procedures.
• Work cooperatively with unit staff to maintain coverage for social work services when staff members are absent.
• Participate in Department of Social Work studies, surveys, or approved research to develop treatment knowledge or improve service quality.
• Provide translation for patient and family interviews when needed and able.
• Identify obstacles to service delivery and bring them to a supervisor’s attention.
• Participate in required departmental meetings and committees.
• Support professional development through education programs, literature review, conferences, and workshops, and maintain current licensing, education, and skills.
• Rotate on evening and night call for the program if required.
• Provide transportation services for patients as needed.
• Work with community agency staff to provide onsite or in-home crisis intervention when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support department and organizational objectives.
• Deliver assessment, treatment, and care in a manner appropriate to the ages of patients served and consistent with customer service expectations.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Competitive medical plans
• Dental plans
• Vision plans
• Generous time off policy, including vacation days, personal time, sick leave, and nine paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Continuing education programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level