Clinical Social Worker, Asw-Street Team

Under the direct supervision of an LCSW, the Associate Social Worker for the Medical Street Team provides mental health and related services to improve the health status and wellbeing of under-served segments of the population of Los Angeles County through the direct provision or coordination of health care, health education, services, and research. This includes interviewing, treating, coordinating, planning, and linkage to a full-range of resources that meet practical, social, and emotional needs, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team and community-based programs.

Program Population:

The Medical Street Team is a specialized healthcare unit that operates in a mobile unit outside traditional clinical settings , providing medical care and support directly to individuals who are homeless or living in marginalized communities. These teams are designed to reach out to individuals who may face barriers in accessing traditional healthcare services due to homelessness, poverty, mental health challenges, or other factors. Some of these individuals may also grapple with mental health and substance abuse issues, which can occasionally manifest in behaviors such as yelling, using strong language, and displaying anger outbursts. The core responsibility of each staff member within the Street Medicine Team is to support clients in surmounting obstacles and enhancing their coping mechanisms, thereby reducing negative behaviors.

Principal Responsibilities:

1. All services provided by the ASW will be under the direct supervision of a JWCH LCSW.
2. Conduct functional and strength-based assessment along with comprehensive diagnosis for mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and psychosocial needs
3. Develop patient care plans that are coordinated and integrated with a comprehensive range of medical and psychosocial services to address social, emotional, and practical needs
4. Provide psychotherapy, counseling, and psycho-education utilizing individual, family, and group modalities using evidence-based interventions for patients and their significant others that include social, emotional, and practical life skills to facilitate safe coping, distress tolerance, stress reduction, mindfulness, and relaxation as well as access to necessary resources with the goal of improved functioning and positive health outcomes
5. Utilize both short-term and intensive longer-term interventions, as approved by funding source, that target trauma, mental health symptoms, and reduction of substance use
6. Intensive case management as indicated
7. Consult with primary care providers to enhance understanding of the patient, provide support for treatment approaches that incorporate behavioral health needs, and assist with implementation of bio-psychosocial treatment and care plans
8. Provide consultation to and coordinate care for patients needing specialty mental health and/or substance use disorder services
9. Advocate for patient within organization and community to ensure access to appropriate care
10. Be available to primary medical care staff during working hours for crisis intervention in the event of a psychiatric emergency and assist staff in the event of any other kind of emergency
11. Provide phone consultation as needed
12. Complete all charting in a timely manner and as required by regulations and JWCH policies, including assessments, progress notes, care plans, and billing documentation
13. All Clinical records will be reviewed, signed off by supervising LCSW and billed as appropriate under the LCSW’s license.
14. Participate in structured and “as-needed” case conferences
15. Assist with provider education for integrated behavioral and primary care services
16. Participate in behavioral health quality assurance/improvement activities to maintain and strengthen standards of care.
17. Participate in professional development activities
18. Participate in individual and group supervision as required by Board of Behavioral Science (BBS).
19. Maintain all licensing documentation including Supervision agreement and log of hours in accordance with BBS regulations.
20. Support client involvement in planning, implementing, and evaluating services.
21. Complete data collection forms and prepare reports as required by the program.
22. Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

1. Clinical Social Work Registration with BBS as an Associate Clinical Social Worker.
2. Master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university.
3. Experience working with low income and/or homeless individuals
4. Demonstrated understanding of the impact of trauma on behavioral and medical conditions
5. Experience with evidence-based short-term behavioral health interventions
6. Bilingual (English/Spanish) ability preferred.