Social Work Lead

Qualifications

• Minimum of a master’s degree in social work or psychology from an accredited university, with at least five years postgraduate professional, relevant experience.
• Licensed in the State of Michigan and adheres to the code of ethics for his/her area of licensure.
• Additional training in specialty areas such as chemical dependency, cognitive behavioral therapy, and/or dialectical behavioral therapy is highly desirable.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Maintains an assigned caseload in accordance with department standards.
• Sets up consultation and supervision appropriately during patient assessment and throughout treatment.
• Participates in supervision, case reviews, and team meetings and takes responsibility for presenting patient cases and contributing to the discussion of cases.
• Demonstrates ability to make appropriate and useful changes in the patient’s treatment plan when problems persist, and recognizes when discharge and/or transfer of care is in the best interest of the patient.
• Initiates discharge planning on the day of admission, in collaboration with the treatment team and in coordination with the patient and, as appropriate, the patient’s family.
• Treats all patients, families, co-workers and visitors in a caring and respectful manner, being mindful of individual differences, and cultural and ethnic diversity.
• Completes patient related documentation in accordance with department and hospital policy, in a timely manner, and with content that is focused on relevant issues.
• Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships.
• Approaches conflict in a constructive manner.
• Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participates in their resolution.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, employees, and visitors to St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea/Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.
• Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places.

Other Functions and Responsibilities

• Maintains a patient caseload in accordance with department and/or program policy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience and Certification/Licensure

• Minimum of a master’s degree in social work or psychology from an accredited university, with at least five years postgraduate professional, relevant experience.
• Licensed in the State of Michigan and adheres to the code of ethics for his/her area of licensure.
• Additional training in specialty areas such as chemical dependency, cognitive behavioral therapy, and/or dialectical behavioral therapy is highly desirable.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Sitting: Continually
• Walking: Occasionally
• Standing: Occasionally
• Bending: Frequently
• Squatting: Occasionally
• Climbing: Occasionally
• Kneeling: Occasionally
• Twisting: Occasionally
• Lifting: Up to 35 lbs.
• Pushing: Occasionally
• Reaching: Above the shoulder: Rarely
• Special Visual/Auditory Requirements: PC and telephone.
• Work Environment: Near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and in outside weather conditions.
• Blood/Fluid Exposure Risk: Category I: Tasks involve exposure to blood, fluids or tissue.
• Scheduling Expectations: Flexible hours, On-call time, Working all shifts, Overtime, Working holidays and/or weekends, Release time.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides clinical supervision to Social Workers by providing individual case review, observation of skills, review of clinical documentation, etc., in order to assure clinical competency.
• Coordinates and completes professional development plans for social work staff.
• Provides social work leadership in related committees, task forces, and work groups within the department and throughout the health network.
• In conjunction with the Director develops, implements, and monitors clinical quality improvement processes within a specific program, service, or department-wide.
• Captures and coordinates interviewing, selecting, training, and evaluating staff.
• Manages and coordinates staffing and scheduling of social work staff including contingent and weekend coverage.
• Identifies educational needs of staff and develops educational programs in order to assist social work staff in increasing their knowledge, skills, and competency levels.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals, and other literature and attending related seminars, conferences, and the like.
• Manages customer compliments and complaints as it relates to supervised staff.
• Oversees Social Worker activities to ensure accountability and outcome measures.
• Participates in social work department leadership team that includes regular meetings, providing occasional in-charge responsibilities during Director's absence, and other leadership duties as delegated.