LCSW

Job Title: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Reports To: Behavioral Health Director
Department: Behavioral Health
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Operation Samahan Mission

Building Healthier and Happier Communities Together

Opsam Health is a federally qualified community health center serving individuals and families throughout San Diego County. The organization provides accessible, comprehensive healthcare services with a focus on underserved, uninsured, and underinsured communities.

JOB PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Director, the Licensed Clinical Social Worker provides behavioral health and social work services to patients as part of an integrated healthcare team.

The LCSW provides individual, family, and group psychotherapy, psychosocial assessments, crisis intervention, treatment planning, case management, care coordination, and patient advocacy. The LCSW works collaboratively with medical providers, behavioral health staff, case management, and community partners to address behavioral health needs and barriers affecting a patient's overall health and well-being.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Services

• Provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy using evidence-based and clinically appropriate interventions.
• Conduct behavioral health screenings, psychosocial assessments, clinical interviews, and other appropriate assessments.
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on patient needs, goals, diagnosis, and clinical presentation.
• Review and update treatment plans based on patient progress and clinical need.
• Provide crisis assessment, intervention, safety planning, and appropriate referrals when clinically indicated.
• Assess patients for risk of harm to self or others and follow established clinical and organizational protocols.
• Provide counseling, education, and support to patients and families.
• Provide services within the LCSW scope of practice and professional standards.

Case Management and Patient Advocacy

• Assess psychosocial, environmental, financial, family, and other barriers that may affect a patient's health or ability to participate in treatment.
• Assist patients in identifying and accessing appropriate community programs and resources.
• Advocate for patients when appropriate to help improve access to behavioral health, medical, and community-based services.
• Provide referrals to community agencies, social services, behavioral health programs, and other appropriate resources.
• Coordinate services for patients with complex behavioral health and psychosocial needs.
• Assist patients and families in navigating available healthcare and community resources.
• Follow up on referrals and care coordination needs as appropriate.

Documentation and Treatment Planning

• Complete accurate and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic health record.
• Document psychosocial assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, risk assessments, referrals, and case management activities.
• Maintain documentation consistent with organizational policies, payer requirements, and applicable professional standards.
• Communicate treatment recommendations and relevant behavioral health information to appropriate members of the patient's care team.
• Maintain accurate and complete patient records.

Integrated Care and Care Coordination

• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health providers, case managers, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Participate in coordinated treatment planning for patients with behavioral health, medical, and psychosocial needs.
• Communicate with appropriate members of the care team regarding patient progress, barriers to care, and treatment recommendations.
• Coordinate referrals to higher levels of behavioral health, psychiatric, medical, or community-based care when appropriate.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case consultations, clinical meetings, and care coordination activities as needed.
• Support continuity of care between behavioral health, primary care, and community-based services.

Crisis Intervention and Patient Safety

• Respond appropriately to patients experiencing behavioral health or psychosocial crises.
• Conduct appropriate risk assessments and develop safety plans when indicated.
• Follow organizational procedures related to behavioral health emergencies.
• Coordinate with the Behavioral Health Director, medical providers, emergency services, or other appropriate resources when a patient requires a higher level of care.
• Follow applicable mandated reporting requirements.

Quality Management

• Participate in quality improvement activities related to behavioral health services and organizational performance goals.
• Support efforts to improve patient access, continuity of care, clinical outcomes, and patient experience.
• Participate in chart reviews, clinical meetings, case conferences, and other quality activities as assigned.
• Maintain professional knowledge and remain current with developments and evidence-based practices within the behavioral health and social work fields.

Patient and Community Relations

• Maintain professional and respectful relationships with patients, families, staff, community partners, and members of the public.
• Provide services in a culturally responsive manner that recognizes the diverse backgrounds and needs of the communities served.
• Work collaboratively as part of the Behavioral Health and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Participate in community outreach, patient education, or organizational events as assigned.

HIPAA, Privacy, and Compliance

• Maintain confidentiality of patient, employee, and organizational information.
• Access confidential information only as necessary to perform assigned job responsibilities.
• Comply with HIPAA, organizational privacy practices, corporate compliance requirements, and applicable behavioral health regulations.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients and families.
• Report suspected unethical, fraudulent, unlawful, or unsafe activity according to organizational policy.
• Provide behavioral health and social work services consistent with applicable professional standards and scope of practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.
• Previous experience providing psychotherapy, clinical social work, case management, or behavioral health services preferred.
• Experience working in a community health center, FQHC, integrated healthcare environment, or with underserved populations preferred.
• Experience working with patients from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Tagalog, or another language commonly spoken by the patient population preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of behavioral health assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy, and clinical social work practices.
• Knowledge of community resources, social services, and care coordination.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and appropriate referral procedures.
• Ability to identify psychosocial barriers affecting a patient's health and access to care.
• Ability to establish therapeutic relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong clinical documentation, case management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple patient needs and priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients of different ages, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and levels of health literacy.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and exercise sound clinical judgment.
• Basic computer skills and ability to document services using an electronic health record.

ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS, LICENSURE, AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Current and unrestricted California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license.
• Maintain all continuing education and professional requirements necessary to maintain licensure.
• Current CPR certification as required by the organization.
• Complete required annual organizational, compliance, HIPAA, safety, and clinical trainings.
• Reliable transportation may be required for travel between Opsam Health locations based on operational needs.