Clinical Social Worker (D)

Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital is seeking a qualified Clinical Social Worker (D). The Clinical Social Worker (D) facilitates the admission of forensic and continuing care patients to the facility and reviews all referral documentations. Will be assigned to monitor patient flow throughout the hospital, including monitoring of discharge planning and assist in addressing barriers that may arise internally and in the community. Will cover the Director of Clinical Social Work as needed, participate in hospital wide committees, provide administrative oversight to units / staff, clinical support / coverage for each units, and clinical supervision for the Clinical Social Work C and A/B staff. Provides direct clinical care to patients, which includes completing timely initial assessments, participating in treatment team planning, providing individual / family therapy, co-leading hospital wide and milieu groups, and developing / coordinating discharge plans with forensic evaluators, court liaisons / clinicians, probation officers, and community services.  

Please note:  This is a full-time, 40-hour position.  The hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday as the days off.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Facilitates the admission of forensic and continuing care patients to the facility.  Reviews all referral documentations, to identify clinical and risk issues prior to admissions. Collaborates with sending facilities as needed. Confers with Facility Medical Director and Director of Social on admissions to review and address any concerns and to determine unit assignments. Communicates clinical information gathered to the assigned unit and assigned multi-disciplinary team.
• Provides highly skilled clinical services to patients and families including psychosocial assessments, diagnosis and current psychosocial histories.  This involves conducting clinical interviews with patients, their families and significant others.
• Initiates a clinical leadership role in the interdisciplinary treatment team for the purpose of developing, implementing and revising patient treatment plans.
• Implements treatment by providing a flexible array of highly skilled interventions including individual, family and group therapy as designated in the current treatment plan.
• Assumes a leadership role in planning, developing, and coordinating the patient's discharge plans in collaboration with the treatment team and case manager.
• Documents initial psychosocial history and/or update, progress notes and aftercare treatment plan in the patient's record according to the Dept. of Clinical Social Work and DMH standards and time frames.
• Assesses patient's eligibility for entitlements and assists patients in making applications.
• Initiates leadership in identifying, developing and implementing the therapeutic milieu of the ward.
• Provides clinical supervision to Clinical Social Workers and graduate students as assigned by the Chief of Clinical Social Work.
• Provides highly skilled Clinical Social work consultation and training to other disciplines and community agencies as assigned by Chief of Clinical Social Work.
• Participates in supervision, ward and discipline meetings.
• Assists in department and hospital committees as assigned by the supervisor/ Director of Social Work 

Required Qualifications:

• Supervise Social work staff and students, and knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
• Develop policies and procedures.
• Implement, develop, and evaluate treatment programs.
• Thorough knowledge of Clinical Social work methods, including psycho-social diagnosis and individual, group and family treatment.
• Provide clinical leadership to interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Evaluate professional clinical performance of Social Workers.
• Teach social work methods and techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Refinement of supervisory, management, and programming skills
• Knowledge of community service network in Region II area.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency is preferred. ASL preferred.   Candidates must be able to read, write and otherwise communicate in English.

About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH):

Located on over 20 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is part of an integrated network of effective, efficient, and culturally competent mental health services.  It provides intermediate and long-term inpatient care for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who live in Massachusetts, as well as individuals requiring specialized court ordered evaluations.

WRCH provides inpatient services to 290 adults and 30 adolescents, inclusive of a Deaf Inpatient Mental Health Service program for 10 patients.

Learn more about WRCH: https://www.mass.gov/locations/worcester-recovery-center-and-hospital-wrch

DMH Mission Statement: 

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the   Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please contact Employment & Staffing at 1 (800) 510-4122, Option 4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE:
At least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience as a Clinical Social Worker after earning a Master's degree in social work.  Based on assignment to second-level supervisory positions, at least one year of experience must have been in a supervisory capacity. 
SUBSTITUTIONS:
-  A Doctorate in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, or human services may be substituted for the required nonsupervisory experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.  
-  No substitution will be permitted for the required supervisory experience.  One year of education equals 30 semester hours.  Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.  
REQUIRED EDUCATION:
A Master's or higher degree in social work is required. 
LICENSES:
-  Licensure as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Social Work is required. 
-  Based on assignment, travel may be required.  Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.