PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER 1 - 08182026-80042

Location: Chattanooga, TN – Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute, Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Hamilton County. This position requires a criminal background check.

Pay

$5,100 – $7,646 per month ($61,200 – $91,752 annually).

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university.
• At time of appointment and throughout employment, must meet one of the following:
  • Master’s degree in social work from a program approved by the Council on Social Work Education;
  • Doctoral or Ph.D. in social work;
  • Current master of social work certificate or independent practitioner of social work license (TCA 63-23-102 & 63-23-103).

About the role

Entry-level Psychiatric Social Worker providing direct social work services—individual, group, and family therapy—in mental health facilities, correctional institutions, and substance use treatment programs. No supervisory duties; focus is on patient care and case management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and develop individualized care plans.
• Provide individual, group, and family therapy to address psychosocial challenges.
• Facilitate discharge planning and connect patients with community resources.
• Maintain detailed records, progress notes, and treatment summaries.
• Evaluate patient needs, adjust care plans, and resolve service delivery challenges.
• Engage with families, courts, and external agencies to support patient care.
• Collaborate with healthcare teams to ensure comprehensive treatment approaches.
• Provide guidance to less experienced staff and stay updated on best practices.

Skills & Knowledge

• Psychosocial assessment and therapy techniques.
• Mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
• Regulatory compliance and patient rights.
• Community resources and public assistance programs.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Critical thinking, judgment, decision making, monitoring, coordination, and problem sensitivity.
• Effective speaking, inductive reasoning, speech clarity, and written comprehension.

Tools & Equipment

• Computer, scanner, printer, fax, copier.

Driver Requirements

Valid driver’s license with no DUI, reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, or more than four moving violations in the past five years.