Youth LSW/LPC

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Under supervision of the Youth Program Manager, the Social Worker will perform a broad range of services designed to help patients improve their lives. The Social Worker must be passionate about helping people, have experience in the delivery of social services and be comfortable dealing with challenging situations. Duties will include performing diagnostic assessments, facilitating individual therapy, leading group sessions, and interacting with other departments in order to provide comprehensive behavioral and/or substance use disorder treatment to patients.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Assessment & Diagnosis

• Conduct comprehensive diagnostic assessments for new patient admissions, ensuring accuracy in evaluating youth mental health and substance use disorders.

• Diagnose substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring mental health conditions within the scope of practice, using DSM-5 criteria and evidence-based tools.

• Administer and interpret standardized assessment tools, such as PHQ-9, GAD-7, and CSS, ASQ, to gauge patient symptoms and risk levels.

• Identify and report safety concerns using best-practice protocols, including risk assessments for self-harm, suicidal ideation, and abuse/neglect.

Treatment Planning & Documentation

• Develop individualized treatment plans for both substance use and mental health disorders, aligning with patients' specific level of care and treatment goals.

• Complete treatment plan reviews regularly to ensure continued progress and adjust interventions as needed.

• Collaborate with the Utilization Review department to submit prior-authorization documentation for patient treatment approval.

• Document all clinical services provided, ensuring timely and accurate records are maintained in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.

• Ensure completion of clinical documentation within 24 hours of the rendered service to meet compliance and quality standards.

Counseling & Direct Patient Care

• Provide individual therapy sessions addressing a broad range of personal, family, and social challenges experienced by youth.

• Facilitate group therapy sessions, incorporating evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

• Make home visits to assess family dynamics and provide in-home interventions, as well as respond to critical life events or emergencies.

• Counsel patients on coping strategies, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and social skill development, ensuring a trauma-informed approach.

• Work with youth in school-based settings, offering on-site therapeutic support and interventions tailored to academic and social challenges.

Crisis Intervention & Behavioral Management

• De-escalate patient concerns and manage behavioral crises using therapeutic interventions and professional judgment.