Behavioral Health Social Worker (MSW, LIC), sign on bonus at MerrimackHealth – Haverhill, Massachusetts

At Merrimack Health, we are committed to pay transparency and equity. The base salary range is $33.00 to $62.00 hourly, excluding fringe benefits and potential bonuses.

Your final base salary will be determined based on your education, experience, licensure, and internal equity considerations. Offers are typically made below the top of the range to support future salary growth.

**Merrimack Health is offering a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000 for the Social Worker role**

JOB SUMMARY: We are seeking a mission driven and compassionate individual dedicated to providing superior care to make a difference in the lives of clients we serve. Our social workers use creative problem-solving and evidence-based treatment to provide the most up to date care for our clients. The Behavioral Health Social Worker will work with a multidisciplinary team and provide person-centered, low-threshold access. The ideal candidate must function and collaborate well, is organized, empathetic, and motivated to help clients meet their goals and improve their lives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assures timely delivery of treatment planning, delivery, and discharge planning. Demonstrates effective practice skills, which integrate clinical theory, regulations and sound working relationships to enhance positive outcomes for patients and families.
• Exhibits competency in interview with patients, families, collateral contacts to address psychosocial problems and/or discharge planning issues.
• Conducts patient assessments including biopsychosocials, behavioral health treatment plans, and ongoing assessments of patients admitted to the PHP/IOP.
• Facilitates evidence-based group and individual therapies as prescribed by the treatment team.
• Communicates regularly with provider and treatment team verbally and/or via medical record on the progress of interventions and interactions with patients and families.
• Initiates family meeting, as appropriate, promptly when necessary to resolve problems and provide support.
• Participate in daily clinical team interviews to assess and implement goals and treatment.
• Provides counseling to patients, families and groups, if indicated, regarding psychosocial problems, behavioral health diagnosis, as well as any identified areas of need.
• Identifies and addresses concerns related to social determinates of health as appropriate.
• Consults with provider and treatment team regarding significant/complex psychosocial problems affecting patient care.
• Demonstrates congenial and effective working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team as well as positive liaison relationships.
• Possesses a clear commitment to clinical philosophy, principles and theory which is integrated into practice in accordance with the Center for Behavioral Medicine department and hospital policy and procedures.
• LICSW is responsible for completing a Section 12a as appropriate when needed.
• Utilizes community resources based on the patient’s and family’s needs. Maintains positive relationships and rapport with outside agencies.
• Able to provide education to the patient and family for specific identified psychosocial needs as appropriate.

GENERAL COMPETENCIES:

ENVIRONMENT OF CARE (SAFETY)

1. All new employees are required to attend New Employee Orientation, to include the safety topic, and must complete the annual Safety Training.
2. Uses all equipment in a safe manner.
3. Identifies and reports all safety hazards throughout the Hospital.
4. Reports injuries and accidents and/or errors to patients and visitors in a timely manner.
5. Completes and forwards an Incident Report when indicated using the Hospital’s reporting system.
6. Responds to fires and/or fire drills using the appropriate procedure.
7. Follows the Tobacco Free Environment Policy. (Policy # 01-057)
8. Manages waste and hazardous materials in the proper manner.
9. Uses the Safety Data Sheets when needed.
10. Performs appropriately in actual or simulated Internal Emergency Preparedness episodes.
11. Performs appropriately in actual or simulated External Emergency Preparedness episodes.
12. Uses proper body mechanics and lifting techniques.

QUALITY/PATIENT SAFETY/PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

1. Strives to exceed Quality and Safety benchmarks quarterly and annually, as established from the Annual Operating Plan (AOP).
2. Abides by service, quality, safety and productivity standards.
3. Supports the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Safety Culture Survey and the Implementation of Improvements, as indicated in the AOP. Develops action plans as required.
4. Identifies problems/issues/risks and formulates effective solutions to mitigate them. Uses Hospital notification system for reporting such problems/issues/risks.
5. Participates in Performance Improvement activities such as Root Cause Analysis or Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) when appropriate and required.
6. Implements solutions borne out of a Root Cause Analysis or HFMEA when appropriate.
7. Leverages the Lean methodology to document and continually improve processes when applicable.

SECURITY

1. Assumes responsibility for a clean and safe work environment.
2. Wears one’s Identification Badge at all times while at work.
3. Adheres to policies relating to computer security.

PATIENTS RIGHTS, CONFIDENTIALITY & ETHICS

1. Maintains patients’ rights, privacy and confidentiality in all aspects of the job, including those relating to diagnosis and patient records.
2. Promotes and employs ethical actions at all times with patient’s families and others.
3. Adheres to the policies and procedures of the Corporate Compliance Program.

SERVICE EXCELLENCE

1. Performs as a team member utilizing the LGH values of quality, service, integrity and compassion.
2. Demonstrates excellent customer service by conducting daily activities, communications and interactions in a cooperative, positive and professional manner as dictated by the Hospital’s Service Excellence 7 Standards of Behavior.

COMPETENCY & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Identifies and communicates learning, competency and personal development needs to the supervisor.
2. Actively identifies and participates in educational activities that meet one’s educational needs, as approved by the supervisor.
3. Uses newly found knowledge and skills in one’s role.

AGE RELATED COMMUNICATION & SAFETY

1. Communicates in a manner appropriate and respectful to the comprehension level of the patient and/or family.
2. Maintains a safe environment specific to the age group served.

INFECTION CONTROL

1. Follows standard of universal precautions and use of appropriate personal protection equipment.
2. Works to reduce the risk of health care acquired infections through compliance with current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) hand hygiene guidelines.
3. Standard Precautions area utilized during patient contact and when handling contaminated materials, when necessary.
4. Is knowledgeable of and demonstrates compliance with all National Patient Safety Goals in preventing healthcare acquired infections.
5. Adheres to infection control and safety policies.

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY

1. Maintains the responsibility for punctuality and attendance to ensure optimal operation of the department.
2. Meets Hospital attendance policy as defined in the Hospital policy manual.
3. When an unscheduled absence from work is necessary, the department is notified according to department policy.
4. Submits requests for Paid Time Off, days off, etc. in accordance with department policy.

EDUCATION AND RELATED EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• MSW or master’s in counseling from accredited institution;
• Master’s level license (LCSW, LICSW or LMHC or license eligible with completion within 2 years of date of hire).

Preferred:

Experience in an outpatient behavioral health setting preferred