Social Worker

Job Opening: Social Worker (Inpatient Behavioral Health)

Facility: Avenir Behavioral Health Center

Facility Type: 32-Bed, Level 1 Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital

Department: Social Services

Reports To: Director of Social Services

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt


Schedule: Variable days and hours, including weekends and holidays

Position Overview

Avenir Behavioral Health Center is seeking a dedicated, patient-centered Social Worker to join our multidisciplinary team. In this role, you will act as a key resource for healthcare professionals, patients, and families. You will perform comprehensive psychosocial assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, facilitate individual and group therapy, and coordinate safe discharge planning.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

• Assessments & Care Planning:
  • Conduct timely psychosocial assessments to determine patient needs, clinical diagnoses, and risk factors (e.g., danger to self/others).
  • Develop, evaluate, and maintain individualized, strength-based, and objective treatment plans under supervision.
  • Perform Utilization Management duties to ensure appropriate levels of care and services.
• Therapy & Clinical Interventions:
  • Provide age- and developmentally-appropriate group therapy/activities, individual therapy, and crisis intervention.
  • Utilize evidence-based treatment modalities.
• Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration:
  • Active participant in treatment team meetings; serve as the primary spokesperson for the treatment team with patients, families, caseworkers, and external outpatient providers.
  • Maintain open communication with attending physicians, nursing staff, and social service colleagues.
• Discharge Planning & Community Resources:
  • Formulate comprehensive, safe discharge plans starting from initial assessment.
  • Maintain knowledge of community medical, psychiatric, and social services resources.
  • Prepare, document, and deliver petitions to corresponding agencies when necessary.
  • May serve as a Court Liaison as needed.
• Documentation & Compliance:
  • Complete clear, timely, and legible medical record documentation (assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, incident reports) following facility and regulatory standards.
  • Maintain strict patient confidentiality and adhere to all facility safety and infection control policies.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• Preferred: Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) or Master's Degree in Counseling (MC).
• Minimum Required:
  • Master's Degree in a Behavioral Health field, OR
  • Bachelor's Degree in a Behavioral Health field with a minimum of 3 years of direct-care behavioral health experience, OR
  • Master's Degree in another field with a minimum of 3 years of direct-care behavioral health experience (subject to prior approval).
  • (Candidates without a Behavioral Health degree require a minimum of 5 years of relevant inpatient care experience working with a seriously mentally ill population).

Certifications

• Preferred Licensure: Arizona State Associate Level (LMSW, LAC) or Independent Level (LCSW, LPC).
• Certifications: Current CPI, CPR, and BLS certifications per facility policy.

Experience & Skills

• Preferred 3+ years of social services experience in a behavioral health setting, including work on multidisciplinary clinical teams.
• Preferred 1 year of inpatient behavioral health experience.
• Demonstrated clinical training in evidence-based therapy modalities (group, individual, family).
• Strong communication, crisis management, organizational, and documentation skills.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Time Allocation: ~65% Sitting (evaluations, therapy, documentation), ~25% Walking (milieu oversight, materials distribution), ~10% Standing, and up to 25% Bending.
• Lifting: Ability to lift/carry up to 25 lbs.
• Environment: Inpatient behavioral health hospital environment. Occasional exposure to high-risk patient behaviors, critical incidents, blood-borne pathogens, or irregular/prolonged hours.