Social Worker - Palliative Care - Therapist

Responsibilities

• The Social Worker Therapist is an integral member of the Palliative Care interdisciplinary team at URMC.
• The Social Worker Therapist provides short-term comprehensive mental health services to referred palliative care patients, which includes screening, assessment (psychosocial and diagnostic), psychotherapy, and evidence-based interventions and treatment planning.
• This may be in the following modalities: individual, family and/or group therapy.
• Meets minimum target for clinical productivity set by service director.
• Ensures the development and implementation of comprehensive and individualized treatment plans for patients with clearly defined therapeutic goals.
• Assesses successful completion of therapeutic goals and plans termination of therapy accordingly.
• Participates collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team to provide coordinated care.
• Collaborates with referral sources and other professionals both internal and external throughout patient care activities.
• Collaborates with support staff regarding patient scheduling, fees, and insurance issues.
• Offers longitudinal interventions with patients including functional and strength-based assessment and diagnosis; psychoeducation for patients and their support systems; medication adherence; motivational interviewing; and brief problem-solving interventions aimed at promoting self-efficacy, enhanced decision making, and behavior change.
• Provides Crisis Intervention for assigned and/or referred patients of the practice.
• Documents interventions in the patient's chart in compliance with Departmental and Hospital policy and regulations.
• Supports efforts for mental health screening for depression, anxiety and substance use.
• Recommends and facilitates referrals to specialty clinic, as appropriate.
• Provides linkages to community resources, as indicated.
• Attends Social Work Division and Program staff meetings.
• Participates in activities of the Social Work and Palliative Care Division including, but not limited to, ensuring policies and procedures are implemented with regard to professional practice, discharge planning and patient care, timely completion of time reporting and other Hospital or Division forms; Hospital and Division mandatory in-service training programs and UHS reviews.

Qualifications

• Licensure as a social worker, as defined by the State Board for Social Work, State Education department, Division of Professional Licensing Services is required.
• Due to billing structure, Licensure as LCSW/LCSW-R is required.
• Master's degree in social work accredited school of social work (CSWE) required.
• 3 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Strong clinical skills and knowledge of evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions preferred.
• Previous experience with seriously ill or dying patients, palliative care and/or hospice is preferred.
• Commitment to and routine demonstration of biopsychosocial approach to care of individuals and families preferred.
• Dedication to delivering a team-based integrated model of care preferred.
• Demonstrates cultural humility and anti-racism values and works toward ensuring all patients feel welcome preferred.