Social Worker Iii - Substance Abuse Specialist - Integrated Multidisciplinary Program Of Assertiv...

The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Psychiatry is seeking a Social Worker III to provide mental health assessment, treatment and consultation for adults with serious and persistent mental illness.  This includes practice skills in areas of social casework, consultation, case-management and community outreach. This position is a case-management position on the Assertive Community Treatment team at UIHC (IMPACT).

The Social Worker III / Substance Abuse Specialist is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team of mental health clinicians.  This specialist will lead the team's integrated dual disorder treatment (IDDT).  The successful candidate should have extensive experience working with adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorder.  The Substance Abuse Specialist will deliver IDDT and must be motivated to conduct assertive outreach and engagement, using motivational interviewing and stage-wise interventions that target an individual's readiness for change.  

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics-recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States-is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   Complete the Substance Abuse assessment, a component of the ACT comprehensive assessment.
   Identify the treatment services individuals should receive in ACT based on severity of substance use diagnosis, stage of change and immediate needs and recommend treatment objectives for the individual's treatment plan.
   Act as an advocate and liaison for consumers in securing emergency detox and rehabilitation care, and other community supports that promote integrated dual disorder treatment (IDDT)
   Lead weekly dual disorders treatment group.
   Evaluate, on a continuing basis, IDDT services and expected outcomes.
   Provide comprehensive intervention including medication monitoring, symptom monitoring, social and independent living skill building, problem-solving assistance, supportive counseling for clients and families, and crisis intervention.
   Collaborate within the multi-disciplinary IMPACT team to provide services consistent with the ACT model.
   Participate in daily team meetings to review and plan client services.
   Work collaboratively with clients, their families, and community partners to assist clients in achieving their treatment and recovery goals.
   Coordinate client care through close involvement with hospitals, substance use treatment facilities, etc.
   Provide 24-hour crisis intervention on-call services on rotating basis.
   Complete immediate needs assessments, comprehensive psychosocial assessments, individualized treatment plans, and crisis/relapse prevention plans.
   Conduct clinical assessments of violence risk, suicide risk, substance use, and trauma.
   Conduct evidence-based therapies and treatments to address client needs (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and supported employment).
   Provide services to assist clients with needs such as family support, housing, entitlements, employment, education, vocational interests, community integration, and connection to physical health care.
   Provide services to assist clients with needs such as legal advocacy, navigating the criminal justice system, coordination with legal agencies and required supervision.
   Perform data collection/analysis as required to complete IMPACT Quality. Assurance/Improvement projects.
   Serve as a role-model for students in a variety of health science fields by exposing students to the IMPACT program.
   Document client care activities in the patient's medical record according to established standards.
   Initiate and maintain correspondence between IMPACT providers and local community agencies as needed.
   Develops and implements plan of care, responsive to patient/family concerns, health care status, available resources, age specific problems, and clinical impressions.
   Obtain psycho-social histories from patient or clients and their relatives, share and interpret information with appropriate staff, and include written histories or summaries for clinical records. 
   Confer with clinical staff to assess the medical, psychological and social condition and needs of patients and clients. 
   Provide information to other clinical staff regarding patient, client and family members psycho-social functioning and needs.
   Assist in the medical or clinical treatment of the patients and clients. 
   Assess for mandatory reporting concerns when needed. 
   Consult with community social agencies regarding medical-social or other social functioning problems of patients and clients and their family members. 
   Create individualized treatment plans: goals that reflect patient/family participation, strategies to support/build on patient strengths, assets and goals, strategies that will help patient and all staff minimize the use of coercive interventions.
   Involves family/support system in care to the extent possible by: encouraging visitation, allowing participation in assessment, treatment planning, education and discharge planning, communicating an understanding of the impact of mental illness on families, therapeutic approaches to explore and possibly reduce patient reluctance to involve family/support system.
   Characterizes interactions with others in all work settings by: respectful, person-centered language, recovery-enhancing relationships with patients, conversations that communicate an understanding of the impact of stigma, discrimination and social isolation, and attempts to reduce.
   Maintain required skills in CPR, violence management training, safety and infection control.
   Operate University of Iowa community outreach vehicles in a safe and lawful manner.
   Perform other functions as requested.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
   A master's degree in social work is required. 
   IADC/CADC preferred by time of hire or must be completed within 3 years.
   License to practice Social Work in Iowa.
   At least three years of experience working in human services with individuals with serious mental illness and those with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.
   Experience understanding various evidence-based models and theories pertaining to motivational interviewing, stage-wise approach to treatment of Substance Abuse and serious mental illness.  
   Documented excellent verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills and experience participating as a member or leader of a work team/group.
   Iowa driver's license and ability to meet UI Fleet Safety Standards. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
   Experience or extensive knowledge of Assertive Community Treatment, community integrated treatment, support services and resources.
   Experience in case-management.

APPLICATION PROCESS
To be considered, applicants must upload a Cover Letter and Resume (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position. 

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.  This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.

Professional references and writing samples will be required at a later time in the recruitment process. 

For more information, contact lori-posey@uiowa.edu .