Social Worker (Licensed)

About the role

The Jewish Board’s Adult Residential Division supports Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing adults with serious and persistent mental illness to live in the community with as much independence as possible. Using a non-judgmental, harm-reduction approach, staff model and guide residents to create and meet personalized recovery goals, develop independent living skills, and live in a healthy and secure manner. Our work is guided by principles that underscore the critical importance of stable housing, use a culturally competent and anti-racist lens, and respect the dignity and legitimacy of each individual’s journey.

Responsibilities

• Carry a caseload of residents and provide services within the scope of program regulations and agency mission.
• Complete client assessments including intake assessments, overall client assessments, and risk assessments.
• Evaluate and assess clients’ functioning and support clients in meeting individual goals.
• Practice person-centered and collaborative service planning with clients; ensure service plans are completed and signed by residents according to regulatory guidelines and standards.
• Interpret and explain agency policies and procedures to residents; develop safety plans.
• Provide individual and family counseling; make referrals and coordinate services for clients, including medical, mental health, and substance abuse prevention and treatment.
• Advocate on behalf of residents with other service providers and link residents to community-based programs.
• Participate in weekly case conferences, intake, assessment, discharge, and follow-up conferences.
• Participate in regular staff meetings and trainings; may travel to offsite meetings and trainings.
• File incident reports as appropriate and complete regular and timely documentation of all resident interactions, including progress and informational notes.
• Facilitate monthly roommate meetings when appropriate.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work.
• Fluent in American Sign Language.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in Human Services preferred.
• Willingness to work with individuals with experiences of mental illness and substance use.
• Compassion and respect for vulnerable individuals.
• Patience and understanding for the sometimes-slow process of stabilization and recovery.

Skills

• Communication: Conveys information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; practices active listening; engages residents respectfully.
• Self-sufficiency and initiative: Assesses, initiates, and completes tasks independently; contributes to the organization’s mission and team’s goals; pursues professional development opportunities.
• Interpersonal relations: Demonstrates cultural sensitivity; interacts with colleagues and residents professionally and respectfully.
• Problem-solving: Analyzes situations objectively; generates or researches solutions independently.
• Quality assurance: Attends to detail; follows standard operating procedures; consistently produces work of high quality.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with teams; models collaborative teamwork; takes appropriate action on constructive feedback.
• Organizational skills: Manages time effectively; respects deadlines; prioritizes multiple, emerging, and complex demands; demonstrates flexibility.
• Crisis management: Identifies situations that can evolve into a crisis; maintains calm during a crisis; has solid crisis de-escalation skills or is willing to learn.
• Good judgement: Manages risk and ensures safety of residents; recognizes and acts on situations requiring intervention by a supervisor or higher authority.

Core Competencies

• In-depth understanding of how mental illness, substance use disorders, or trauma can affect the lives of individuals in the community.
• Experience working with individuals living with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or trauma required.
• Knowledge of local and state health and human service systems and their navigation.
• Understanding of the demanding processes of stabilization and recovery.
• Commitment to working with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, a history of trauma, and/or homelessness.
• Openness to approaching the work through an anti-racist lens, engaging in continuous learning, and putting that learning into practice to support our diverse resident population.
• The ability to stay calm in a variety of situations, some of which may be stressful.
• Patience and empathy for individuals on their journey to recovery.

Education / Training

• Master’s degree in Social Work.
• LMSW or LCSW certification preferred.

Computer Skills

• Familiarity with working in Windows environment.
• Ability and willingness to learn new systems and application software.

Visual and Manual Dexterity

• Able to read data and documents, including spreadsheets, reports and Electronic Health Records in printed form and on computer screens.
• Able to input data into relevant systems.
• Limited applications of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.