Social Worker I

At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey. Our values: Respect, Belonging, Accountability, Transparency.

About the department

Adult Psychiatrists – Behavioral Health Services (BHS) at Denver Health is a large and rapidly expanding department with over 700 employees. BHS provides psychiatric care for patients in community, emergency, inpatient, justice, medical, mobile, and outpatient settings. As a non-profit committed to meeting community needs and promoting health equity, Denver Health offers a practice full of meaning and purpose. All physicians at Denver Health have an academic appointment at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, making it an excellent place to work for those with an interest in clinical education.

About the role

Under general supervision, plans, organizes, and implements social work treatment for Emergency Department/hospitalized patients and their families. Assesses the biopsychosocial needs of patients and families and creates an individualized plan of care related to the patient’s current health concerns and ongoing access to care outside of the hospital. Provides clinical interventions that help meet identified needs by utilizing personal, family, and community resources. Offers crisis intervention, supportive counseling, case consultation, and care coordination services.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments that are thorough, individualized, objective, and complete. Provides intervention appropriate to the presenting problem. Utilizes key case management components including assessment/reassessment, care planning, coordination of care, and documentation.
• Evaluates emotional components, impact of health issues, and assists patients to identify strengths, dysfunctional factors, and to establish detailed discharge/transition of care plans. Provides care coordination throughout the continuum of care and/or hospitalization from case referral to case closure. (35%)
• Applies knowledge of individual, group, and family functioning to ensure appropriateness of treatment methods to assist patients in achieving care plan goals. Develops effective brief interventions that are socio-culturally sensitive. (20%)
• Routinely consults, negotiates, and coordinates with internal and external resources to assure collaborative efforts to maximize patient outcomes. (15%)
• Facilitates multi-disciplinary communications and patient care meetings (e.g., case conferences, family meetings, rounding) and utilizes information to assess and reassess care needs. Educates staff on the scope of the Social Work role in the healthcare team. Ensures patient involvement in care planning and goal setting with informed consent documented.
• Demonstrates knowledge and applicability of the principles of growth and development over the life span, as well as the ability to assess patient status and interpret appropriate cultural information. Applies knowledge of major concepts, principles, and theories of normal and abnormal human development to specific age groups.
• Utilizes knowledge of patient populations’ cultural, religious, ethnic, and social systems in interactions, care planning, and education. Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of programs, eligibility, and skill in obtaining appropriate resources/services; educates others, identifies gaps, and suggests alternatives. (15%)
• Assists clients to maximize adjustment to illness/disability/trauma by addressing biopsychosocial issues and enhancing problem-solving and coping skills. Evaluates emotional components, impact of health issues, and assists clients to identify disruptive factors to establish treatment goals. (15%)

Requirements

• Master’s Degree from a CSWE-accredited college or university.
• 1–3 years of work experience, typically including one year of full-time post-master’s degree Social Work practice under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Skills

• Knowledge of coordination of care/discharge planning, crisis intervention, and supportive counseling.
• Knowledge of medical/behavioral health terms, abbreviations, and diagnoses; demonstrates this knowledge verbally and in writing.
• Skill in problem-solving and use of critical thinking.
• Skill in providing care appropriate to the age of patients served within the healthcare setting.
• Skill in establishing a treatment alliance and engaging patients in goal setting and prioritizing.
• Ability to manage the professional relationship, including termination and/or transition of care.
• Ability to respond to crisis situations and provide support.
• Ability to advocate in a professional manner as appropriate.

Pay

$65,200.00 – $97,800.00 per year.

Benefits

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick days, and 7 holidays.
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks.
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%.
• Generous medical, dental, and vision plans, plus employer-paid disability and life insurance.
• Comprehensive well-being programs, including an on-site employee fitness center and nationally recognized RESTORE Center.
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation).
• Childcare discount programs and exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more.
• Tuition reimbursement and assistance.
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) supporting internal career growth and advancement pathways.
• Professional clinical advancement program and shared governance.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer with free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program.
• National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer.

Schedule

Days (United States of America). Full-time, regular position.