Social Services Clinician

About the Role

Haven Behavioral Healthcare, an Oceans Healthcare Company, is a behavioral healthcare system providing high-quality, specialty behavioral health services for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. This position supports the therapeutic milieu and daily program schedule, helping maintain a safe and efficient treatment environment in accordance with facility policies and procedures. The Social Services Clinician serves as the primary contact for treatment and discharge planning, ensuring safe, high-quality care for all patients in alignment with Joint Commission, Federal and State Regulations, and Oceans' Mission.

Responsibilities

• Complete thorough psychosocial assessments and initial evaluations within required timeframes, including interviews with patients, families/guardians, and natural supports.
• Develop and update individualized treatment plans that include measurable, strengths-based goals consistent with assessed patient needs.
• Assess patients for risk of harm to self or others and communicate concerns promptly to the attending practitioner and treatment team, using required documentation.
• Provide age-appropriate group psychoeducation and related activities.
• Provide individual and family psychoeducation as ordered or indicated, documenting all sessions per program standards.
• Seek clinical supervision and guidance from the clinical supervisor when clinical complications or questions arise.
• Participate as an active member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, contributing to assessments, treatment planning, and discharge planning.
• Serve as the primary point of communication for the treatment team with patients, families, caseworkers, outpatient providers, and other professionals.
• Lead or support discharge planning by identifying barriers early, coordinating with the team, and engaging families and community agencies.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with community agencies and resources relevant to patient care.
• Interact professionally and respectfully with patients, families, team members, and external entities, ensuring the treatment environment supports the program’s mission.
• Communicate treatment scope, limitations, changes in status, and the roles of team members to patients and families; may serve as court liaison when needed.
• Communicate issues requiring follow-up to the Director of Social Services and collaborate with team members to support exemplary treatment and customer service.
• Complete timely, legible, and thorough documentation for assessments, interventions, treatment plans, discharge planning, and incident reports per policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health–related field required; master's degree preferred but not required depending on state licensure regulations.
• Preference for experience working on a clinical multidisciplinary team.
• One year of experience in behavioral health, ideally in an acute care or similar setting, with exposure to evidence-based individual, group, and family interventions, preferred.

Skills

• Ability to complete psychosocial assessments and identify patient needs.
• Skill in developing and updating individualized, measurable treatment plans.
• Ability to recognize clinical complications and appropriately seek supervision.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills within a multidisciplinary team.
• Effective communication skills with patients, families, and external providers.
• Ability to maintain timely, accurate, and thorough documentation.
• Ability to interact professionally while upholding patient dignity, privacy, and safety.
• Must complete Basic Life Saving (BLS) course and an Oceans approved de-escalation course.

Work Environment

• Subject to many interruptions and occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries.
• This position can be high-paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically with the atmosphere.
• Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.