Licensed Clinical Social Worker

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Job Profile Title

Social Worker

Job Description Summary

This full-time position is for a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who will be a core member of a collaborative care team in primary care, including the patient's medical provider and psychiatric/addiction medicine consultant, as well as the larger primary care or medical team. The LCSW will be part of a collaborative care model for integrating buprenorphine treatment in primary care for patients with opioid use disorders and mental health conditions. They are responsible for supporting and coordinating the mental health care of assigned patients in conjunction with the patient's medical provider and, when appropriate, other behavioral health providers. The LCSW provides behavioral interventions using evidence-based practices developed and tested in a large, randomized trial and makes recommendations for psychotropic medication management as reviewed by primary care provider or a consulting psychiatrist and/or addiction medicine consultant, taking into account adherence monitoring, side effects, and effectiveness of treatment. They will provide patient education about common mental health and substance use disorders and the availability of treatment options. The social worker will encourage patient engagement, treatment adherence, and commitment to follow-up care and facilitate in-clinic or outside referrals to evidence-based psychosocial treatments as clinically indicated. The target population are individuals with opioid use disorders and mental health conditions

Job Description

This position is for a social worker who will provide clinical support for a collaborative care model in primary care for patients with mental health and substance use disorders. The primary duties for the social worker will include, but are not limited to:- Assess patients for common mental health and substance use disorders using structured behavioral health assessment and monitoring tools- Provide behavioral interventions using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, relapse prevention, brief alcohol interventions, problem-solving treatment, motivational interviewing, motivational enhancement therapy, or other treatments as appropriate- Systematically track treatment response and monitor patients (in person or phone) for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects or complications- Participate in regularly scheduled caseload consultation with the psychiatric and/or addiction medicine consultant and communicate resulting treatment recommendations to the patient’s medical provider through appropriate chart documentation and other forms of communication- Participate in supervision sessions to improve skills and debrief about difficult cases. - Document patient progress and treatment recommendations in EHR and other required systems so as to be shared with medical providers, psychiatric consultant, and other treating providers. Meet regulatory and compliance standards for documentation- Facilitate treatment plan changes for patients who are not improving as expected in consultation with the medical provider and the consultant and who may need more intensive or more specialized care for mental health or SUDs. Provide ongoing care for patients awaiting intake at another specialized care center. - Facilitate referrals for clinically indicated services outside of the organization (e.g., social services such as housing assistance, vocational rehabilitation, mental health specialty care, substance use treatment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree in social work, nursing, counseling or psychology and 2 to 3 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.

LCSW in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (LCSW preferred); 3+ years experience in behavioral health care industry, assessment and treatment planning for common mental health, experience with evidence based counseling techniques preferred. Experience providing crisis and/or utilization management services; 3+ years of clinical experience working with patients with substance use disorders preferred. Experience working in safety net health clinics or low barrier models for patients with addiction preferred.

Other qualifications:-

Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary team setting,- Working knowledge of differential diagnosis of common mental health and/or substance use disorders, when appropriate- Ability to effectively engage patients in a therapeutic relationship, when appropriate- Ability to deliver clinical care services in an efficient and effective manner- Ability to work with patients by telephone and in-person - Working knowledge of evidence-based psychosocial treatments and brief behavioral interventions for common mental health disorders, when appropriate (e.g., motivational interviewing, problem-solving treatment, behavioral activation)- Basic knowledge of psychopharmacology for common mental health disorders that is within appropriate scope of practice for type of provider filling role- Emergent assessment & crisis intervention skills- Ability to quickly assimilate new information in a fast paced work environment with enthusiasm- Knowledge of DSM-V, APA Criteria, ASAM Criteria, HIPAA, & community resources- Well organized and demonstrates skill in prioritizing competing job duties.- Ability to utilize computer software (Word, Outlook, Excel)- Knowledge of EPIC preferred but not required.

Position contingent upon funding

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$55,962.00 - $81,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay