Medical Social Worker- Low Barrier Care (New Position)

Job Description

Job Description

Medical Social Worker – Low Barrier Care

Damien Center Values

Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Access-Quality-Innovation

Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) and serves more than 8,000 individuals living with or at risk for HIV through a comprehensive, innovative approach to care and prevention. Our purpose is to be a trusted partner in providing services, education and advocacy for all people living with or at risk for HIV and any person seeking a safe and welcoming home for care. Our services include care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition. 

Position Summary:

The Medical Social Worker provides intensive trauma informed, client centered psychosocial support for individuals living with or affected by HIV. Damien Center’s low barrier care clinic strives to provide low barrier care to patients with high barriers to engaging in HIV treatment. This role enhances retention in care, promotes medication adherence, and addresses social determinants of health. The Medical Social Worker collaborates with medical providers, nurses, case managers, and community partners to deliver integrated services across the HIV care continuum.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. 

• Provide intensive case management for patients with high barriers to engaging in HIV treatment in the low barrier care clinic.
• Conduct periodic comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments.
• Provide short term, strengths based counseling and crisis intervention for patients of the low barrier clinic.
• Support medication adherence using motivational interviewing and health education.
• Develop and monitor individualized service plans addressing medical and social needs.
• Facilitate linkage to non-medical case management, behavioral health, substance use treatment, housing programs, food assistance, and other supportive services.
• Advocate for clients while encouraging empowerment and self efficacy.
• Work closely with the interdisciplinary care team to support clients through engagement, retention, and viral suppression.
• Participate in case conferences, huddles, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain active communication with clinical staff and community partners.
• Provide linkage to HIV medical care for newly diagnosed or returning to care clients.
• Maintain accurate and timely, HIPAA-compliant documentation.
• Enter case notes, assessments, and service data into electronic systems.
• Support reporting requirements for Ryan White and other funding programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience:

Must hold a Master’s degree in social work and valid Social Worl licensure n the state of Indiana. At least 2 years’ case management experience required.  Experience with underserved populations and/or clients affected by HIV, homelessness, mental health conditions, or substance use required. Experience in a medical or clinical environment required. Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based practice required. Familiarity with Ryan White Program services and documentation standards preferred. Experience with electronic health records or case management databases required. 

*Work or lived experience may substitute for education requirements on a case-by-case basis. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication and relationship building skills. Strong crisis intervention and problem solving abilities. Ability to engage with diverse communities with empathy and respect. Organizational skills to manage caseloads and deadlines. Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team. Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines and with superior product results. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work. 

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Remote work is on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the supervisor. 

• Office setting, with sustained use of a computer.
• The noise level in the work environment is minimal to moderate.
• Individuals should maintain personal and professional competency and work to create an environment of courtesy, respect, inclusion, and positivity in all interactions both internal and external to the organization.

FLSA Status: Salaried, Full-time, Exempt               

Leader: Linkage Services Senior Program Manager

Salary: $64,389 annually

Benefits:  

• 150 hours of PTO in the first year followed by 195 hours per year moving forward.
• 12 paid holidays
• Medical coverage options include a PPO plan or a HDHP. 
• Dental & Vision plans
• Health Saving Account or Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403b Retirement Account with 5% matching and 100% vesting after 90 days
• Life Insurance @ 2 times the annual salary
• Voluntary Life Insurance Plan including spouse and child coverage options
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Plans
• Premium Subscription to the CALM APP which assists with anxiety, stress & other mental health challenges
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Annual performance review that includes an annual performance-based salary increase

Protecting our team members, clients, volunteers, and community partners is an integral part of how we ensure our continued work with the clients we serve.  As a condition of employment, Damien Center requires team members to be vaccinated against influenza and receive a tuberculosis skin test (or chest x-ray) annually, barring an approved religious or medical exemption. 

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Damien Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, other legally protected status, or genetic (including family medical history) information.

Damien Center complies with applicable federal laws and with all state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which Damien Center has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment.  Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.