Social Services Specialist I

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:

Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization

Social Services Specialist I - Posting #26956

Hourly Rate: $26.90

Position Summary:

Full-time Social Services Specialist position available for Sea Mar's MSS Department in Seattle, WA. The role of the Social Service Specialist is to conduct an initial screening and provide a comprehensive integrated clinical psychosocial assessment; develop intervention plans based on that assessment; provide brief treatment toward the care plan; provide transition services for long term counseling/treatment and Infant Case Management; and consult with the interdisciplinary Maternity Support Services team on the needs of clients served. The productivity expectation for this position is 20 or more client encounters per week for full-time work.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Introduces clients to integrated MSS services (either in home or at clinic) and performs

systematic social services screening to determine current status and needs in a variety of areas.

• Based on identified client needs, makes referrals to appropriate agencies/services or provides

information and assists clients for self-referral.

• Provides advocacy as needed to encourage participation in implementing the care plan or to

resolve problems which are interfering with active participation in the care plan (such as

transportation or language barrier).

• Charts notes of the services provided as required by the state and agency in Sea Mar’s Electronic Health Records.

• Assists client in accomplishing tasks necessary to access services such as filling out appropriate

forms, obtaining necessary documentation or authorization.

• Maintains professional standards and follows the treatment policies and procedures of the

agency, as well as applicable federal, state and local regulations. 

• Complete a thorough, culturally sensitive, psychosocial assessment which includes but is not

limited to: Personal history (cultural background, health status, coping strategies, mental health

status, substance use, abuse and violence); current family functioning; review of support systems

(formal and informal); and basic physical needs. This assessment is shared with the client and

team members to assure that all relevant psychosocial issues are addressed in the care planning.

• Participate fully in all interdisciplinary team meetings to provide input on client’s assessed

psychosocial needs and on interdisciplinary team plans for client. The goal is to build family

strengths and resiliency.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and current Certified Counselor through the

State of Washington Department of Health or Chemical Dependency Counselor. 

• Experience working with underserved populations such as, but not limited to, those who have 

limited English speaking skills, are homeless, and migrant and seasonal workers. If the patient 

requires services beyond brief intervention, the Social Service Specialist is responsible for 

coordinating the timely referral to behavioral health services.

• Experience working with patients who have substance use disorders, chronic mental illness, and 

those who require crisis intervention.

• Experience working with safety-net providers within the community and broad knowledge of 

community resources to facilitate whole person care. 

• Knowledge of evidence-based screening tools (PHQ 9, GAD 7, AUDIT, DAST, etc.) and the 

ability to use these tools as part of a framework to make appropriate level of care interventions 

and referrals for patients as needed.

• Good working knowledge and skills in using electronic health record platforms, external 

registries, as well as the Microsoft suite of programs in order to document patient services, 

develop and run reports, etc. 

• Bilingual in English/Spanish is preferred, but not required. Must be open to using an interpreter.

What We offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Prescription coverage

• Life Insurance

• Long Term Disability

• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.

We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment. 

How to Apply:

To apply for this position complete the online application and click SUBMIT or APPLY NOW. If you have any questions regarding the position, email email Paola Jimenez, MSS Program Manager, at View email address on click.appcast.io. 

Sea Mar is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Posted 10/3/2024

External candidates are considered after 10/8/2024

This position is represented by Office and Professionals Employees International Union (OPEIU)

Please visit our website to learn more about us at You may also apply through our Career page at

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