Social Worker
Avenir Senior Living
2 hours ago
Full-time
On-site
Surprise, Arizona, United States
Bachelor's, Master's
Job Opening: Social Worker (Inpatient Behavioral Health)
Facility: Avenir Behavioral Health Center
Facility Type: 32-Bed, Level 1 Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital
Department: Social Services
Reports To: Director of Social Services
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Schedule: Variable days and hours, including weekends and holidays
Position Overview
Avenir Behavioral Health Center is seeking a dedicated, patient-centered Social Worker to join our multidisciplinary team. In this role, you will act as a key resource for healthcare professionals, patients, and families. You will perform comprehensive psychosocial assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, facilitate individual and group therapy, and coordinate safe discharge planning.
Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions
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Assessments & Care Planning:
- Conduct timely psychosocial assessments to determine patient needs, clinical diagnoses, and risk factors (e.g., danger to self/others).
- Develop, evaluate, and maintain individualized, strength-based, and objective treatment plans under supervision.
- Perform Utilization Management duties to ensure appropriate levels of care and services.
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Therapy & Clinical Interventions:
- Provide age- and developmentally-appropriate group therapy/activities, individual therapy, and crisis intervention.
- Utilize evidence-based treatment modalities.
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Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration:
- Active participant in treatment team meetings; serve as the primary spokesperson for the treatment team with patients, families, caseworkers, and external outpatient providers.
- Maintain open communication with attending physicians, nursing staff, and social service colleagues.
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Discharge Planning & Community Resources:
- Formulate comprehensive, safe discharge plans starting from initial assessment.
- Maintain knowledge of community medical, psychiatric, and social services resources.
- Prepare, document, and deliver petitions to corresponding agencies when necessary.
- May serve as a Court Liaison as needed.
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Documentation & Compliance:
- Complete clear, timely, and legible medical record documentation (assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, incident reports) following facility and regulatory standards.
- Maintain strict patient confidentiality and adhere to all facility safety and infection control policies.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
- Preferred: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or Master’s Degree in Counseling (MC).
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Minimum Required:
- Master’s Degree in a Behavioral Health field, OR
- Bachelor’s Degree in a Behavioral Health field with a minimum of 3 years of direct-care behavioral health experience, OR
- Master’s Degree in another field with a minimum of 3 years of direct-care behavioral health experience (subject to prior approval).
- (Candidates without a Behavioral Health degree require a minimum of 5 years of relevant inpatient care experience working with a seriously mentally ill population).
Certifications
- Preferred Licensure: Arizona State Associate Level (LMSW, LAC) or Independent Level (LCSW, LPC).
- Certifications: Current CPI, CPR, and BLS certifications per facility policy.
Experience & Skills
- Preferred 3+ years of social services experience in a behavioral health setting, including work on multidisciplinary clinical teams.
- Preferred 1 year of inpatient behavioral health experience.
- Demonstrated clinical training in evidence-based therapy modalities (group, individual, family).
- Strong communication, crisis management, organizational, and documentation skills.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
- Time Allocation: ~65% Sitting (evaluations, therapy, documentation), ~25% Walking (milieu oversight, materials distribution), ~10% Standing, and up to 25% Bending.
- Lifting: Ability to lift/carry up to 25 lbs.
- Environment: Inpatient behavioral health hospital environment. Occasional exposure to high-risk patient behaviors, critical incidents, blood-borne pathogens, or irregular/prolonged hours.