Director of Social Work

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are:

We help our neighbors meet immediate needs and face long-term challenges. We steward our resources with transparency and efficiency. Together, we create a community where everyone is able to live with dignity and hope. Impelled by the love and teaching of Jesus Christ, while respecting the dignity and potential of all people, we collaborate to offer life-giving programs, advocate for the voiceless and empower the vulnerable to foster a just society . Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO) has been an open door, a warm welcome, dry ground, a defending voice, and a hand up for generations of Louisiana residents. Our shared stories and strong roots help a diverse community stand tall together. Meeting the needs of the whole person is our continued commitment .

What You'll Do:

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is responsible for providing comprehensive clinical social work services, psychosocial assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, case management, and supportive services to participants enrolled in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

The LCSW works collaboratively with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans that address participants' emotional, psychological, social, environmental, and behavioral health needs.

This position plays a critical role in promoting participant independence, maintaining quality of life, supporting family caregivers, and ensuring participants receive appropriate services to remain safely in their communities whenever possible.

The LCSW ensures services are delivered in compliance with applicable Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations, Louisiana licensing requirements, organizational policies, and professional standards of social work practice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Psychosocial Assessments and Care Planning

• Conduct comprehensive initial and ongoing psychosocial assessments of PACE participants.
• Evaluate participants' mental health, emotional well-being, cognitive functioning, social support systems, and environmental needs.
• Identify psychosocial barriers that may affect participants' health, safety, independence, and quality of life.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized care plans in collaboration with the IDT.
• Participate in required reassessments and care plan reviews.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in participants' medical records.

1. Clinical Counseling and Behavioral Health Support

• Provide individual and family counseling within the scope of professional licensure.
• Assess participants experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, adjustment disorders, behavioral concerns, or other emotional challenges.
• Provide crisis intervention and appropriate referrals when participants experience psychiatric or psychosocial emergencies.
• Assist participants and families in coping with chronic illnesses, disabilities, cognitive decline, and end-of-life concerns.
• Collaborate with medical providers and behavioral health professionals to coordinate mental health treatment.
• Identify potential risks involving self-harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or unsafe living conditions and respond according to established protocols.

1. Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration

• Serve as an active member of the PACE Interdisciplinary Team.
• Participate in regularly scheduled IDT meetings, case conferences, and participant care discussions.
• Communicate significant psychosocial changes to appropriate team members.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, therapists, home care coordinators, and other disciplines to address participants' needs.
• Provide clinical recommendations regarding psychosocial interventions, behavioral health services, and community support.
• Assist with developing strategies to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and support continuity of care.

1. Participant and Family Support

• Provide education, counseling, and guidance to participants, caregivers, and family members.
• Assist participants and families in navigating difficult healthcare decisions and accessing available resources.
• Facilitate family conferences when needed to address care concerns or changes in participant conditions.
• Support participants' rights, dignity, cultural preferences, autonomy, and informed decision-making.
• Assist families with advance care planning, guardianship concerns, and other relevant psychosocial issues within the scope of the position.

1. Case Management and Community Resources

• Coordinate access to appropriate community resources and social support programs.
• Assist participants with housing concerns, financial resources, benefits navigation, and other identified social needs.
• Facilitate referrals to behavioral health providers and community support agencies.
• Conduct participant home visits as necessary to assess environmental safety and psychosocial needs.
• Support transitions between home, hospital, skilled nursing facilities, and other care settings.
• Assist with discharge and transition planning as applicable to participant needs and PACE requirements.

1. Regulatory Compliance and Documentation

• Maintain compliance with applicable CMS PACE regulations, Louisiana state regulations, and organizational policies.
• Complete required assessments, reassessments, progress notes, and care plan documentation within established timeframes.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational requirements.
• Recognize and report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other reportable incidents in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, internal audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Maintain current professional licensure and complete required continuing education.
• Participate in mandatory training, competency assessments, and annual performance evaluations.

Perks!

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• FSA, HSA
• Indemnity Plans
• 401k Matching
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid STD & LTD
• Wellness Program Incentives
• Employee Referral Bonus
• EAP
• Teladoc and sooo much more!

What You'll Bring:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Licensure

• Current, active, unrestricted Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners.
• Must maintain licensure in good standing throughout employment.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of experience providing social work services in a healthcare setting.
• Minimum of three year of experience working with frail older adults or elderly populations.
• Experience providing clinical assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, and case management.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of clinical social work experience.
• Experience working in a PACE program, geriatric healthcare, long-term care, behavioral health, or community-based healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid programs.
• Familiarity with CMS regulations and participant-centered care planning.
• Experience working with participants diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or other cognitive impairments.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong clinical assessment, counseling, and crisis intervention skills.
• Knowledge of geriatric mental health and psychosocial needs.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and complex medical conditions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate, organized, and timely documentation.
• Strong critical thinking, clinical judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of confidentiality requirements, professional ethics, and mandatory reporting responsibilities.
• Proficiency in electronic medical records and standard computer applications.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to urgent participant needs.

PHYSICAL AND WORK REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to perform duties in an office, clinical, participant home, and community-based environment.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the PACE center during the workday.
• Ability to perform participant home visits and attend meetings at various locations as required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with participants who may have hearing, cognitive, or communication impairments.
• Must be able to meet applicable employee health, safety, and infection prevention requirements.

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of required pre-employment screening and background checks.
• Completion of applicable OIG and other exclusion screenings.
• Compliance with organizational health and safety requirements.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable motor vehicle record when driving is an essential function of the position.
• Completion of all required organizational orientation, compliance, safeguarding, and annual training.
• Ability to maintain a professional, respectful, and participant-centered working environment.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker is expected to:

• Complete assigned assessments and documentation accurately and within required timeframes.
• Provide timely psychosocial interventions and participant support.
• Participate consistently in IDT meetings and care planning activities.
• Maintain compliance with professional, regulatory, and organizational standards.
• Demonstrate effective communication with participants, caregivers, and team members.
• Identify and escalate participant safety concerns promptly.
• Contribute to participant satisfaction, quality improvement, and positive care outcomes.

OTHER DUTIES

Performs other related duties as assigned that are consistent with the position, professional licensure, and organizational needs.