Clinical Social Worker (part-time)

Brookline's Health and Human Services Department is seeking a part-time Clinical Social Worker to provide mental health and substance use and at-risk behavior assessments, intervention, individual, group and family counseling along with education to youth referred through the schools, juvenile justice system, and other referral sources.

This position may involve school and community prevention, education, outreach services, and consultation, and other related work.

Qualifications :

• Master's degree in Social Work or other counseling degrees required with three to four years experience in mental health, substance use, adolescent development, and parenting, or other related experience;
• or a CADC or LADAC with at least three years of related experience which includes one year of work experience as a substance use counselor or treatment aide in a substance use treatment program, detoxification center, vocational rehabilitation, crisis line, or another social program;

or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Special Requirements :

Must have Social Work (LICSW preferred) or other Professional Counseling License, Massachusetts and / or Substance use Certification LADAC or CADC Massachusetts.

Salary : $40 / hourly. The Clinical Social Worker works 15-18 hours weekly during the September to June school year. Please apply with resume and cover letter.

Position is open until filled.

Clinical Social Worker Job Description

Position Purpose :

The purpose of this position is to provide mental health and substance use and at-risk behavior assessments, intervention, individual, group and family counseling along with education to youth referred through the schools, juvenile justice system, and other referral sources.

This position may involve school and community prevention, education, outreach services, and consultation. The incumbent performs all other related work as required.

Supervision :

Supervision Scope : Performs highly responsible functions requiring a high level of initiative and judgment to evaluate the needs of clients and plan, develop and implement programs to meet those needs.

Supervision Received : Works under the general supervision of the Coordinator of the Substance use and Violence Prevention Program.

Meets regularly with the Coordinator to discuss cases. Confers with supervisor when unusual situations arise.

Supervision Given : None.

Job Environment :

Work is performed in an office or other environmentally controlled room; work may expose incumbent to dangerous and volatile situations and possible bodily injury.

Operates computers, printers, telephone, and other standard office equipment. Has frequent contact with outside providers, mental health clinicians, Department of Social Services, parents, police, schools, and court personnel.

Majority of contacts are in person. Contacts involve discussing the needs of the service recipient. Has access to confidential information regarding service recipients.

Errors could result in reduced levels of service to the community and possible legal ramifications.

Essential Functions :

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.

The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Reduces substance use amongst teens through education, prevention programs, direct interventions and counseling.
• Provides assessments, determines treatment plans and makes referrals for youth and their families.
• Provides education, prevention, treatment and support to youth and families through individual, group and family therapy modalities.
• Schedules and provides substance use prevention, education, and consultation services to youth, parents, schools, and community.
• Provides individual crisis intervention counseling.
• Provides case management services to youth and their families emphasizing direct services.
• Maintains accurate and thorough clinical records as per agency, county and state requirements, and other documentation as required..
• Provides input and report to the Coordinator regarding the clinical needs of youth, improved ways of offering prevention, outreach, treatment services and supervision.
• Actively promotes youth substance use programs to families and individuals; develop and maintain relationships with other professionals, schools, institutions and agencies implementing substance use services via education, prevention, outreach, support and treatment.
• Trains peers; teaches courses to students on facilitation skills, substance use prevention techniques and presentation skills.

Peer educators then present to middle school students and parents.

Organizes and facilitates substance use and violence prevention workshops, healthy alternative activities, and discussion groups for the community.

Organize and facilitate substance use and other at-risk behaviors and violence prevention workshops for youth, their families and staff who work with the high school population.

Work with staff and teachers in promoting healthy decision-making among youth throughout the school year.

• Facilitates meetings with students involved in programs such as Captain's Council and SHARP Warriors.
• Maintains a professional and courteous attitude to all clients, partners and community members.
• Collaborates with various agencies, attends meetings, shares concerns and information. Disseminates prevention information.
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications :

Education, Training and Experience :

• Master's degree in Social Work or other counseling degrees required with three to four years experience in mental health, substance use, adolescent development, and parenting, or other related experience;
• or a CADC or LADAC with at least three years of related experience which includes one year of work experience as a substance use counselor or treatment aide in a substance use treatment program, detoxification center, vocational rehabilitation, crisis line, or another social program;

or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Special Requirements :

Must have Social Work (LICSW preferred) or other Professional Counseling License, Massachusetts and / or Substance use Certification LADAC or CADC Massachusetts.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill :

Knowledge : Knowledge of services and resources available to adolescents. Knowledge of adolescent development. Knowledge of related state and federal laws and regulations.

Ability : Ability to work with individuals, families and community agencies. Ability to work with teenagers and adolescents who are resistant or angry.

Ability to coordinate and monitor client's care. Ability to work well with a variety of town, school and community agencies.

Skill : Must have crisis intervention skills, counseling skills, and facilitation skills. Skill in group work, therapy, and counseling.

Skill in substance use. Skill in all of the above listed technology, tools and equipment. Flexibility and a sense of humor.

Patience to work with emotionally fragile youth.

Physical Requirements :

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.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Vision and hearing at, or correctable to normal ranges is necessary.

Must be able to communicate verbally. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and / or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and / or materials used in performing essential functions.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)