Behavioral Health FSC LCSW- Per Diem

About the Role

This position is accountable for identifying the psychosocial and psychiatric needs of patients and families through clinical assessment, crisis intervention, supportive counseling, case consultation with the health care team, and collaboration with other professionals in the community. The role supports the medical and behavioral health teams in the hospital, focusing on patients assessed in the Emergency Department behavioral health area to determine psychiatric or substance abuse care needs. The clinician ensures access, provides assessment and/or direct care, coordinates resources, and partners with receiving programs and clinicians. By utilizing excellent communication and negotiation skills, the clinician aims to provide the appropriate service in the most cost-effective manner, aligning with the goals of the patient, provider, payor, and health care organization. Reports to the Manager of Child & Family Support Services.

Responsibilities

• Assesses and plans patient care by conducting timely psychosocial and psychiatric assessments and evaluations of patients and families, including social, psychological, cultural, and financial information.
• Identifies, interprets, and documents problems and strengths using a scientific knowledge base and appropriate psychological/social/cultural concepts; organizes and prioritizes care and interventions; and obtains and stewards appropriate resources to meet individual and family goals.
• Develops a therapeutic plan based on psychosocial and psychiatric assessment.
• Provides advocacy, referral, and discharge planning to meet patient/family needs.
• Facilitates the treatment process by referring patient/family members to the appropriate level of care, support groups, and other resources, as well as providing direct crisis intervention.
• Coordinates and implements patient/family care by collaborating with the multidisciplinary team, other payors, and partnering with patients/families; establishes a multidisciplinary plan to address identified issues and goals; documents and communicates in a timely manner; and educates patients/families to ensure seamless, coordinated transitions across levels of care.
• Assesses patients’ medical insurance(s) or other resources and initiates appropriate utilization review processes in placement decisions to preserve patients’ financial resources and ensure appropriate hospital payment.
• Negotiates level of care and length of stay with third-party payors by providing clear and accurate information about level of care recommendations and the program’s ability to provide adequate care for the patient.
• Assures the intake evaluation and referral process for prospective patients and families is appropriate by interfacing with medical providers, community resources, public agencies, and private clinicians to facilitate continuity of patient care and maintain ongoing contracts and relationships.
• Works effectively as a team member both within and across clinical settings to provide integrated health care services through communication, cooperation, and collaboration.
• Evaluates progress toward accomplishing desired patient care outcomes and addresses termination and transitional processes with patients and families.
• Participates in performance improvement opportunities, research, cost-effective utilization of resources, and coordinating activities such as meetings to improve patient care.
• Assumes responsibility for self-improvement by identifying, communicating, and seeking resources to meet own learning needs.
• May provide medical on-call services as part of an on-call team.
• Demonstrates support for the mission, values, and goals of the organization through behaviors consistent with Connecticut Children’s Standards.
• Demonstrates knowledge of age-related differences and needs of patients in specific populations from neonate through adolescence and applies them to practice.
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families.
• Values cultural diversity and other individual differences in the workforce.
• Performs other related responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• May supervise students in their professional internship.
• May provide supervision for LCSW licensure.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Required

• Master's in social work required.
• Minimum of 2 years of related experience serving the needs of children and families.

Education and/or Experience Preferred

• Experience in psychiatric assessment, triage, and intake preferred.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of the medical conditions and health care experience of specific patient populations, preferred.

License and/or Certification Required

• LCSW required.
• Ability to meet requirements for internal credentialing in individual and group or family therapy required.
• Individual programs may require specific additional certifications.
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training certification highly recommended within one year of hire and maintained thereafter.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Family-centered care principles and practices preferred.
• Individual, group, and/or family therapy modalities.
• Twelve-step and self-help programs.
• Addiction and recovery process.
• Child protection issues.
• Age-related differences and needs of patients in specific populations from neonate through young adult.
• Legal and ethical issues related to patient rights.

Skills:

• Strong group counseling and individual assessment skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong time management skills.
• Strong self-care skills to cope with the stressors of this high-intensity and unpredictable work environment.

Ability to:

• Prioritize and demonstrate flexibility.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients and families.
• Demonstrate basic proficiency in the utilization of personal computers and job-related applications.
• Demonstrate basic proficiency in medical terminology.

About Us

Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut that is 100% dedicated to children. Established on a legacy that spans more than 100 years, Connecticut Children’s offers personalized medical care in more than 30 pediatric specialties across Connecticut and in two other states. Our transformational growth establishes us as a destination for specialized medicine and enables us to reach more children in locations closer to home. Our breakthrough research, superior education and training, innovative community partnerships, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion provide a welcoming and inspiring environment for our patients, families, and team members. At Connecticut Children’s, treating children isn’t just our job – it’s our passion. As a leading children’s health system experiencing steady growth, we’re excited to expand our team with exceptional team members who share our vision of transforming children’s health and well-being as one team.