Behavioral Health Social Worker

Job Description

Job Description

Behavioral Health Social Worker 

 

 

 

FLSA Classification: Non-exempt 

Reports to: Director of Behavioral Health Operations 

Origin Date: 02/2009

Revision Date: 6/2026, 01/2024

Job Summary/Objective: 

The Behavioral Health Social Worker provides behavioral health assessment and supportive counseling individually and in groups. Assists with behavioral health program development. Provides general medical social work services, crisis intervention, and serves as community resource subject matter expert to the clinic’s patient population, facilitates communication between patients and staff, establishes and/or facilitates cooperation between the clinic and community agencies and acts as liaison between the clinic and community at large.

Protected Health Information Requirements/Access:

• This position will require the use or disclosure of protected health Information.
• This position will use the Treatment classes of protected health information.
• Restrictions on the protected health information for this position will follow the Privacy Policies of Peoples Community Health Clinic, Inc.
• Use or disclosure of protected health information not routinely available to this position will follow procedures assessed by or directed by management.

• Patient Records – Yes Medical Information System - Yes

Essential Functions: 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provides psycho-social evaluation, supportive counseling (within licensure scope of practice), and resource referral for patients and families.
• Actively engages with colleagues in pods through ongoing presence in pod, rounding with colleagues, and remaining approachable. 
• Provides medical social work services to patients and families.
• Provides case management, when appropriate, to facilitate navigation of support services.
• Coordinates appropriate services and resources and collaborates with other disciplines and agencies to address patient needs.
• Consults and rounds regularly with multi-disciplinary treatment teams.
• Documents all services.
• Assists with the development of special grants, groups, and educational programs.
• Works to improve work processes and clinical outcomes including health disparity and quality improvement collaboratives.
• Follows policies and procedures. 
• Supports a service-oriented atmosphere in accordance with Peoples Community Health Clinic Mission and Philosophy.
• Develops and maintains own competence.
• Maintains a safe working environment and practices safe working habits.
• Assists in control of People’s Community Health Clinic resources.

Competencies:

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reasoning skills and ability.

• Self-motivated in developing and maintaining own competence as it pertains to the position.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of health care professionals, staff and patients.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and navigate difficult situations.
• Ability to respond calmly and professionally in stressful situations.
• Ability to assess patient’s basic needs and complete thorough psychosocial assessments.
• Knowledge of and how to access area community resources.
• Timely completion of progress notes that capture the appropriate social work components. 
• Strong communication skills, including listening, speaking, writing, and reading comprehension.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Products (ex. Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point) and Windows Platform. Must be comfortable moving within an EHR computer system regularly.
• Skilled in planning, organizing, adaptability, attentiveness to detail and flexibility of assignment.
• Maintains strict confidentiality.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Not applicable.

Patient Population:

• Based on principles of growth and development, provides appropriate care to the age-related needs of the patients served, which may include birth to geriatric.

 

Work Environment/Personal Protective Equipment:

This position operates in a clinical environment, PPE required as indicated. Occasional home visits may be required.

Physical Demands:

This position requires continuous standing (67% - 100% of shift); occasional sitting and walking (1% - 33% of shift); occasional lifting, carrying, and pushing/pulling up to 20 lbs. (1% - 33% of shift). Continuous finger dexterity and use of hands/arms for repetitive movement; occasionally reaching at, above, and below shoulder level (1% - 33% of shift). Requires 20/40 near and far vision.

 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Typically work hours and days are between Monday and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and some flexibility in hours is allowed. Responsibilities occasionally may require irregular hours as deemed necessary. This may include an adjusted work schedule, long days, and early morning or late evening hours in order to meet client scheduling demands. The employee must work a minimum of 40.0 hours each week to maintain full-time status. 

 

Travel:

Occasional driving might be expected for this position.

 

 

Education and Experience:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in social work required. Master’s degree in social work preferred.
• 1 – 3 Years’ experience preferred.

 

Licenses and Certificates:

• Social Work licensure in the state of Iowa preferred. 
• Current BLS or CPR/First Aid certification required.
• Mandatory reporter training for child and dependent adult abuse certificate required.
• Psychological First Aid certification preferred.

Other Duties:

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements as individuals may perform other duties as assigned.