Job Description
Position Purpose: The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) will provide behavioral health services for our underserved patient populations providing crisis intervention, brief and longer-term counseling, some case management, triage & linkages to social services, housing linkages and other services to assist in providing comprehensive services to ensure better health and educational outcomes. This position requires on-site work at one or more of sixteen JWCH’s Primary Care Clinics in Southern California. It may involve limited Tele-Psych for patients not in the clinic. The LCSW is responsible for complying with all JWCH and BBS behavioral health standards, including staff productivity and patient satisfaction expectations. This position may also involve providing supervision to Associate Social Workers (ASWs) seeking licensure, for LCSWs who have been licensed for at least two years and have completed the required BBS supervision course. LCSWs may also be eligible for tuition repayment programs. Principal Responsibilities: Work as part of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) multidisciplinary team to ensure that patients’ clinical treatment goals and behavioral health needs are addressed. This includes participation in case conferences, chronic disease management meetings, staff consultations, and individual meetings to support quality of care. Conduct functional and strength-based assessments, including comprehensive clinical evaluations and diagnoses related to mental health, substance use, trauma, and psychosocial needs. Develop coordinated, integrated care plans that incorporate medical and psychosocial services to address patients’ social, emotional, and practical needs. Provide in-person and, on occasion, remote psychotherapy (via HIPAA-compliant platforms), counseling, medical case management, and psychoeducation. Services may include individual, family, and group modalities using evidence-based interventions to support coping skills, distress tolerance, stress management, mindfulness, and improved functioning. Utilize both short-term and longer-term interventions, as clinically appropriate and consistent with funding requirements, to address trauma, mental health symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and substance use reduction. Ensure that all interventions are client-centered, strength-based, and aligned with a comprehensive treatment plan developed following a thorough biopsychosocial assessment. Consult with primary care providers to support integrated care, enhance understanding of patient needs, and assist in the implementation of coordinated treatment plans. Collaborate with Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Case Management staff to coordinate care, facilitate referrals, and help reduce barriers to services. Participate in weekly case conferences to assist in problem solving related to patients and to ensure that professional guidance and high-quality case management services are provided. Participate in community meetings pertaining to the needs of JWCH patients. Participate in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings that are held weekly in the clinics. Be available as assigned to provide after-hours emergency psychiatric assistance. Provide phone consultation as needed. Rotate coverage as Officer of The Day (OOD) taking crisis calls from JWCH patients in the community or located at other clinics and programs. Complete all charting as required by JWCH, including assessments, progress notes, care plans, and billing documentation. Encounters must be closed by the end of each shift without exception. If supervising ASW’s those encounters should be closed within 5 days from the date of the encounter. Assist with provider education for integrated behavioral and primary care services Participate in behavioral health quality assurance/improvement activities to maintain and strengthen standards of care, in accordance with the organization CQI Plan If supervising ASW’s comply with all BBS requirements and ensure that ASW’s encounters are closed in a timely manner. Maintains assigned patient panel and meets productivity expectations. After six (6) months of employment, clinicians are expected to average approximately 7.0 encounters per 8-hour shift/day. To account for patient no-show rates, scheduling approximately 10–12 patients per day may be required to meet productivity standards. Adhere to all organizational safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Participate in required safety and compliance trainings and apply learned practices in daily work activities. Identify, report, and help mitigate unsafe conditions, in