Public Health Children's Medical Services Social Worker (DOH/PHD/SW #11618)

Salary: $24.88 - $37.32 hourly ($51,755 - $77,633 annually). This position is classified as Pay Band C6.

About the role

The Children’s Medical Services program in the Southwest Region provides medical case management for eligible children (0–21 years old) with special health care needs or chronic conditions, including those who may not qualify for other coverage. The program also manages newborn genetics and hearing screening initiatives and hosts specialty care outreach clinics.

This position delivers direct medical social work services to clients in the Southwest Region, primarily in Doña Ana County, with potential assignments in other counties as needed. The role addresses needs at both the individual/family and systems levels, ensuring safety-net and assurance services for children and youth with special health care needs.

All applicants must hold a current New Mexico social work license in accordance with the Social Work Practice Act (Sections 61-31-1 through 61-31-25 NMSA 1978 and 16.63.1 through 16.63.20 NMAC).

Responsibilities

• Provide medical case management, service coordination, and advocacy for children and youth with special health care needs.
• Coordinate and manage specialty outreach clinics in the Southwest Region in collaboration with UNM medical providers.
• Conduct outreach to engage families, clients, and community providers, programs, and agencies.
• Perform comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments and periodic reassessments of client/family needs.
• Collaborate with medical, educational, vocational, and human service providers.
• Ensure quality assurance for maximizing billing and ongoing care coordination.
• Address cultural and linguistic needs of clients, helping them navigate complex medical systems and work across health care agencies and insurances.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (per NMAC 61-31-9) and two (2) years of experience in a social work setting (e.g., social service agencies, health care, medical, educational, mental health, home health, hospice, developmental disabilities, or other relevant experience working with patients, clients, providers, and families).
• Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
• Must possess and maintain a current New Mexico social work license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must complete a Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico as a condition of continued employment.
• Successful completion of HIPAA and blood-borne pathogen training within thirty (30) days of employment.

Skills

• Experience providing social work services to clients and families with medical conditions in medical and public health settings.
• Experience with crisis intervention, intervention planning, and service plan development.
• Conducting intake, assessment, diagnostic, and referral interviews.
• Working in partnership with multiple agencies and diverse client populations.
• Strong preference for bilingual applicants fluent in English and Spanish.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive computer/phone use.
• May require lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Services provided in clinics with diverse populations, many of whom are non-English speakers.
• Standard schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
• Travel to satellite offices, meetings, training sessions, and special events, with occasional overnight stays.