Clinical Social Worker

Position Overview

Position: Clinical Social Worker (CSW)

Location: Hopkinsville, KY (newly opened and growing program)

Reports To: Clinical Director

Employment Type: Full-time

FLSA Classification: Exempt – Professional

Schedule: Standard weekday business hours, with an alternating weekend rotation required as part of this position. Some flexibility may be required to meet program and client needs.

Licensure: CSW required

A Note to Recent Graduates

Harbor Behavioral Health strongly encourages recent graduates to apply. This role is designed for clinicians early in their careers who are looking to build strong skills in assessment, treatment planning, documentation, and team-based care. Structured supervision, mentorship, and ongoing support are provided to support your growth and development as a clinician.

Program Context

This position operates within a Therapeutic Rehabilitation Program (TRP), a structured, group-based level of care serving individuals with significant mental health and substance use needs. The program utilizes a peer-led model in which Peer Support Specialists facilitate the majority of group services. The CSW works closely with peers and plays a central role in the intake and assessment process, while also providing clinical oversight, documentation support, and treatment planning within a collaborative team environment.

Purpose

The Clinical Social Worker (CSW) is responsible for completing comprehensive intakes and assessments, developing and maintaining treatment plans, and providing clinical oversight within the TRP setting. This role supports functional improvement through structured, skills-based interventions and close collaboration with peer staff. Services are provided under clinical supervision in accordance with licensure requirements and scope of practice.

Principal ResponsibilitiesIntake and Assessment Responsibilities

• Complete comprehensive intake assessments, including psychosocial assessment, clinical interview, and diagnostic impression
• Review and incorporate relevant medical and behavioral health records into assessment and treatment planning
• Administer and document clinical outcome tools (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, and other required measures)
• Conduct and document risk assessments, including suicide risk and safety considerations
• Complete functional assessments to evaluate level of impairment and support medical necessity
• Synthesize assessment data to support level of care determinations and admission decisions

Clinical and Program Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain individualized treatment plans that meet medical necessity and payer requirements
• Participate in and support reauthorization processes, including development of clinical summaries that justify continued need for TRP level of care
• Provide clinical oversight and guidance to Peer Support Specialists, including timely daily review and co-signature of documentation
• Provide feedback to Peer Support Specialists to strengthen documentation quality and clinical relevance
• Support peers in translating group interactions into clinically meaningful observations and treatment plan linkage
• Support a peer-led group model, with the ability to step in and facilitate groups as needed based on staffing or program needs
• Contribute to the development and ongoing improvement of group programming and curriculum in collaboration with the treatment team
• Maintain an active presence in the program milieu, including observing client behavior, interacting with clients throughout the day (including during breaks and meals), and supporting overall program functioning
• Provide ongoing clinical touchpoints with clients outside of the intake process, including as-needed individual support, and complete associated documentation
• Respond to clinical emergencies in accordance with Harbor Behavioral Health policies and procedures, including timely and appropriate documentation of events and interventions
• Collaborate with family members, state guardians, providers, prescribers, and residential staff as appropriate, and document coordination of care activities
• Communicate relevant clinical observations to support treatment planning and care coordination
• Monitor client engagement, participation, and functional progress within a structured group environment
• Maintain timely, accurate, and comprehensive documentation in the EMR
• Complete documentation that reflects services provided and supports medical necessity and payer requirements
• Complete documentation within required timeframes to support billing and compliance
• Participate in treatment team meetings and clinical supervision
• Lead or support treatment team meetings as needed, including in the absence of the Clinical Director
• Participate in discharge and step-down planning, including coordination of appropriate levels of care
• Work in accordance with Kentucky state regulations and TRP program requirements, including documentation standards and clinical oversight expectations
• Manage a caseload and workflow that includes ongoing intakes, documentation, and participation in program operations
• Perform other duties as assigned

Compliance and Professional Responsibilities

• Serve as a mandated reporter under Kentucky law, including reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children, adults, or vulnerable populations in accordance with state requirements and HBH policy
• Maintain client confidentiality and comply with all HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 (where applicable), and HBH privacy and security policies governing the use, disclosure, and safeguarding of protected health information
• Adhere to professional ethics and scope of practice standards consistent with CSW licensure and applicable Kentucky regulations
• Complete all required compliance, safety, and program-specific trainings within established timeframes

Travel and Transportation

This position is primarily site-based and does not require regular travel. Occasional travel between HBH locations or to outside meetings, trainings, or community partner sites may be required. A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance are required to support any such occasional travel.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking throughout the program day
• Frequent use of a computer keyboard, monitor, and standard office equipment
• Occasional lifting and carrying of materials up to approximately 25 pounds
• Ability to maintain an active presence in the program milieu, including moving between group rooms and common areas
• Ability to respond physically and verbally to crisis situations, including de-escalation and safety interventions, in accordance with HBH policies
• Sufficient visual, auditory, and verbal abilities to communicate effectively with clients, staff, and external partners

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) required
• Active CSW license required
• Recent graduates strongly encouraged to apply
• Graduate-level practicum or internship experience acceptable
• Strong communication and teamwork skills required

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work in a structured, fast-paced environment
• Openness to supervision, feedback, and continued growth
• Strong clinical documentation skills, including the ability to produce detailed, accurate, and audit-ready documentation
• Ability to collaborate effectively with peer staff
• Ability to work independently while recognizing when to seek clinical guidance or escalate concerns
• Strong sense of accountability, reliability, and follow-through
• Ability to engage clients with empathy, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries
• Interest in behavioral, skills-based interventions
• Ability to function as part of a team while contributing to overall program operations

Pre-Employment Requirements

Employment is contingent on successful completion of all HBH pre-employment requirements, including required background checks, registry checks, federal exclusion checks, drug screening, health screenings, license and education verification, and reference checks, as outlined in HBH policy and applicable Kentucky regulations.

• Competitive compensation based on experience
• Health insurance (employer-sponsored)
• Optional dental and vision coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Ongoing supervision and professional development support
• Opportunities for growth within the organization