Clinical Social Worker, Suffolk County Jail Project; per diem

Position: Clinical Social Worker

Department: Psychiatry Research

Schedule: Per diem

Location: On-site only, at the Suffolk County Jail

Desired availability : initially 20+ hours/week between the hours of 7:00 am and 8:00pm, M-F or 8-4 Saturdays. Fewer hours required after the first 3 months.

The Clinical Social Worker (CSW) will serve as a member of the treatment team within a new, 45-bed men’s behavioral health unit operated by Boston Medical Center (BMC) located in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department’s (SCSD) Jail. This role will help ensure the smooth provision of behavioral health treatment to incarcerated persons. Treatment will include, intake assessments, individual counseling, and facilitation of group therapy.

This role requires practicing non-judgmental patient centered care and cultural humility in order to care for an impacted patient population who is often marginalized within the healthcare and justice systems. Experience with in corrections is not required, as the goal of this program is to deliver community level and quality of treatment inside the jail. As part of this innovative new collaboration between BMC and SCSD, this role will report into the BMC Department of Psychiatry.

Work will be completed within office and clinical settings, both housed within a setting of incarceration. This is a full time, days position.

Preference for individuals who can work 20+ hours/week between hours 7am-8pm M-F or 8-4 Saturdays.

• Serve as a member of the interdisciplinary care team supporting the patient’s goal in alignment with program philosophy, through collaboration with a broader team of physicians, case managers, and peers to assess and adjust treatment plans

• Provide evidence-based evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients with substance use disorders and/or psychiatric illness through formats including assessment, individual therapy, and group therapy

• Provide crisis intervention as needed on unit including risk assessments and crisis planning

• Assist case managers with any clinical reentry needs including transitions of behavioral health care

• Complete all necessary clinical documentation in an accurate and timely manner

• Participate in the teaching of students and other trainees as indicated

• Participate in departmental and organizational quality improvement programs and trainings

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

• Requires Master’s Degree from an accredited school of Social Work.

• Requires a Massachusetts Requires a Massachusetts Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)

• 2+ years providing behavioral health treatment to impacted patient populations

• Preference for individuals with experience in emergency psychiatric settings, inpatient behavioral health units, or individuals who have worked with justice-involved population

• Preference for therapist with experience in utilizing art, music, and creativity within a milieu setting

• Lived experience is valued

• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse/interdisciplinary team

• Comprehensive knowledge of evidenced based behavioral health treatment and desire to grow knowledge base

• Strong understanding and familiarity with common diagnoses and levels of care across behavioral health and medical settings

• Skilled at engaging difficult to engage patients—build rapport, trust and utilizing de-escalation skills

• Ability to work in a fast paced environment, inclusive of organizational…