Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW)

Associate Clinical Social Worker

Under the clinical supervision of an experienced LCSW, the Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) will work to reduce the distress and improve the mental health of the underserved populations presenting with complex medical and psychosocial problems. The ACSW will work alongside other professionals in a multidisciplinary team in order to deal with complex patient problems.

The ACSW provides social work services including assessment, short term and crisis counseling, individualized care planning, and case coordination to patients. Serves as liaison between CDU and the community to integrate services and coordinate care for clients. Assesses, develops, and coordinates a clinical treatment program for patients with acute or chronic mild to medium mental health disorders. Consults with Clinical Supervisor regarding diagnosis, strengths, and challenges of patient on a weekly basis.

This position will report to the Ryan White Part C – Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program Manager. This position is located in Oasis Clinic.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates in the multidisciplinary team alongside medical providers, nurses, social workers, front office staff and case managers, regarding mental and behavioral health of clients.
• Provides individual and group psychotherapies and/or psychosocial rehabilitation treatment to clients with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, hypertension, medication non-adherence, addiction, social and interpersonal problems, personality disorders and challenging behaviors.
• Develops individualized treatment plans as part of ongoing assessment of patients and in collaboration with the case manager and clinical supervisor.
• Refers patients to institutions, support services, psychiatry, and other specialists as needed.
• Provides consultation services to multidisciplinary team members by evaluating the biopsychosocial implications of the patient's illness when the team is assessing and planning medical treatment.
• Provides functional assessments in reports to the Department of Public Social Services, Department of Child and Family Services, Social Security Administration, and the Judiciary.
• May provide some case management or referral to assist patients experiencing homelessness with accessing vital resources such as housing, substance abuse treatment, specialty mental health care, and public benefits.
• Documents all assessments, diagnoses, care plans, interventions and referrals in our electronic medical records system.
• Complies with CDU's policies.
• Maintains confidentiality when interacting with patients, families, personnel, and the public.
• Ability to be supportive and acknowledge individuality.
• Supports and assist team members when needed.
• Keeps an open mind to feedback and able to make adjustments when needed.
• Excellent communication and comprehension skills.
• Able to multi-task and work independently.
• Bilingual Preferred-English/Spanish.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education:

• Accredited Master's degree required in the related field.

• Registered in the State of California as a Licensed Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) with over a year of hours completed.

• Certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of providing mental health services (i.e. assessment, diagnosis, individual and group therapies).
• Minimum one-year experience with underserved adult populations (i.e. individuals who are experiencing homelessness, previously incarcerated, LGBTQ+, those living with mental health or substance use issues).

Knowledge/Ability/Skills:

• PC proficient.
• Electronic Medical Record system proficient.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Able to maintain a cooperative and courteous demeanor.
• Able to handle confidential and sensitive materials in a professional manner.
• Excellent patient service presentation.
• Strong personal initiative that helps identifies problems and follow (especially patient care related issues).
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize so that deadlines are met in a timely and accurate manner.
• High initiative, flexible team approach.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent telephone manner.
• Extremely detail-oriented.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality/HIPAA.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.
• Ability to create, compose and edit written materials.

Complexity:

• The ability to perform highly detailed work with sustained attention and care while providing/obtaining information on numerous inquiries is paramount to success in this position.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Occasional stooping. Frequent standing. Constant walking, sitting, climbing, reaching high/low levels, finger movement, feeling, speaking clearly, hearing conversationally, and seeing far and near.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Occasionally required to work in confined space.

Mental Demands:

• The mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Frequent work on a variety of unrelated tasks. Constant calculating interrupted work, work on a variety of interrelated tasks, and use of sustained concentration, reasoning, judgment, resourcefulness, analytical ability, and ingenuity.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work effectively with LGBTQ+, people living with HIV, people living with mental health issues, and/or people experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community.
• COVID-19 Vaccination: As a health professions institution of higher education, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science seeks to protect the health and safety of the University community. Accordingly, CDU will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all University students, faculty, and staff subject to limited exceptions and exemptions. The University vaccine requirement has been implemented consistent with federal and state law related to medical exemptions for students, faculty, and staff. Requests for disability and religious accommodations from faculty and staff will be evaluated consistent with the law and University policies and procedures.

Compensation:

• $85,000.00

Position Status:

• Full Time Exempt

Conditional Employment:

The employment status of this position is classified as "Conditional." Conditional employment means that the job exists contingent upon continued funding and limitations of restricted funds or the duration of a specific program, project, grant, or contract. Since your salary is funded by Ryan White III Outpatient EIS, G00875K0 End: 6/30/27 and HIV Core Medical Services - PSS C0062800 End: 2/28/27, your position is contingent upon the continued receipt of these funds. Continuation of your position is dependent, in part, upon funding availability. Furthermore, no work may be performed after the grant end date(s) unless you have received an extension in writing from a Dean, Division VP, or Human Resources.

EEO Statement: Charles R. Drew University is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicants will be considered without regard to gender, race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability or covered veteran status.

Fair Chance Statement: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local "Fair Chance" laws.