LICENSED BACHELOR SOCIAL WORKER(LBSW)- RURAL COMMUNITIES

Job Details:

Job Location: Brewton Family Medical Center - Brewton, AL, Salary Range: Undisclosed, JOB SUMMARY: This position reports to the Director of Behavioral Health.

The Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) provides nonclinical social work, patient navigation, resource coordination, referral support, and case management for individuals served by Franklin Primary Health Center (FPHC), including patients affected by substance use disorders, opioid use disorders, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and related psychosocial needs.

The LBSW works in collaboration with licensed clinicians and the interdisciplinary care team to help patients access services and follow through with care plans. This is an onsite position in Mobile, Alabama.

This role does not independently diagnose mental health conditions, provide psychotherapy, or prescribe medication.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Conducts nonclinical intake interviews and screens for social needs, barriers to care, and eligibility for community resources; promptly refers clinical concerns to appropriately licensed personnel.

Assists patients and families with navigating available behavioral health, medical, substance use, and social service programs without independently diagnosing or providing psychotherapy.

Provides supportive, nonclinical social work services, patient education about available resources, and assistance with access to community services. Coordinates case management services, referrals, appointments, and follow-up for patients with opioid use disorders and other complex social needs.

Works with the interdisciplinary care team to coordinate services for patients with co-occurring behavioral health and medical needs. Supports screening, intake, referral, and continuity-of-care activities for Ryan White, Substance Abuse, and other Franklin social services programs.

Documents social needs, service coordination, referrals, follow-up activities, and progress toward nonclinical case management goals in the appropriate record.

Recognizes and promptly reports indications of crisis, possible harm, or urgent behavioral health needs to a licensed clinician or other designated response personnel; follows established emergency protocols.

Participates in treatment team meetings and case staffings to provide updates on resources, case management, referrals, and social barriers to care. Connects patients to financial assistance, food and housing support, transportation, legal aid, health care services, and other community resources.

Maintains accurate, timely records of referrals, patient communications, case management activities, and service coordination in accordance with FPHC policy. Collaborates with program staff, community-based organizations, and partner agencies to coordinate services and minimize duplication.

Assists with nonclinical screening, intake administration, and referrals for the Outpatient Substance Abuse Program. Assists in preparing monthly, quarterly, and final program reports for funding sources and administration.

Works under applicable professional oversight and consultation arrangements; promptly escalates matters beyond the LBSW scope of practice to an appropriately licensed social worker or clinician.

Attends professional meetings, educational conferences, and in-service training to maintain and improve professional competence. Participates in community and public events sponsored by FPHC.

Provides resource education and informational presentations to FPHC staff as assigned, without providing clinical supervision or psychotherapy training beyond their qualifications. Complies with organizational operations, policies, procedures, professional ethics, and applicable confidentiality requirements.

Performs other duties consistent with LBSW licensure and scope of practice as assigned by the Director of Behavioral Health.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Licensure Required: Active Alabama Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) license, in good standing, issued by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners.

Ability to perform bachelor-level, nonclinical social work services within the limitations and oversight requirements of the Alabama LBSW license; no independent psychotherapy, mental health diagnosis, or clinical supervision.

One to two years of related social work, case management, community services, or patient navigation experience preferred, including experience with substance use, HIV/AIDS, and homeless populations. Valid Alabama driver’s license when travel is required as an essential job function.

Knowledge of social and economic factors affecting patients with opioid use disorders, HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, and housing instability.

Knowledge of community resource referral, care coordination, social work ethics, patient rights, confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and the limits of bachelor-level social work practice. Knowledge of community mental health resources, public assistance programs, and related social service agencies.

Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, electronic health records, and basic documentation and care coordination systems; familiarity with integrated behavioral health in primary care preferred.

Must maintain an active Alabama LBSW license throughout employment, satisfy applicable continuing education and renewal requirements, and notify the Director of Behavioral Health immediately of any lapse, restriction, or disciplinary action affecting the license.

PRIVACY RULE COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS: Adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA Privacy Rule), HITECH and the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Records (42 CFR part 2) policies and procedures.

Must successfully complete Privacy Rule compliance training annually or as revisions are made to the policies and procedures. Must comply with Privacy Rule guidelines by learning to protect FPHC patients’ medical privacy.

Must comply with Privacy Rule guidelines by appropriately maintaining our patient information in compliance with national standards.

Must comply with Privacy Rule guidelines by providing appropriate security of FPHC patient records Core Competencies Technical Knowledge: Understands nonclinical social work, resource navigation, service coordination, referral processes, and the social needs associated with behavioral health and substance use disorders; recognizes when clinical issues require referral.

Cultural Awareness: Provides respectful, culturally responsive support to a diverse population and recognizes social, cultural, and economic influences on access to care.

Analytical Skills: Identifies social service needs and barriers to care, evaluates available community resources, and communicates concerns requiring clinical review to qualified team members.

Interpersonal Skills: Establishes rapport, openness, and trust with patients and families and coordinates effectively with partnering agencies. Communication Skills: Communicates clearly in writing and verbally, provides appropriate resource information, and documents patient contacts accurately.

Team Building: Collaborates with other departments and interdisciplinary care teams while respecting coworkers and patients. Planning/Organization of Work: Prioritizes referrals, tracks service requests, coordinates follow-up, and organizes nonclinical case management activities.

Accountability: Follows through on commitments, meets deadlines, reports barriers promptly, and maintains appropriate professional boundaries. Documentation: Completes accurate, timely case management and referral documentation in the required systems and formats.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION REQUIREMENTS: Must provide the very best customer satisfaction to staff, visitors, guests, and patients at all time in a professional and courteous manner. Provide assistance in resolving customer problems relating to program services.

Coordinates efforts and interfaces with other departments to resolve problems. Doing things right the first time. Making people feel welcome. Shows respect for each customer. Anticipate customer needs and concerns. Keeps customers informed. Helping and going the extra mile. Respond quickly.

Protect privacy and confidentiality. Demonstrate proper telephone etiquette. Take responsibility for handling complaints. Be professional. Take ownership of your attitude toward Service Excellence.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: The health and safety requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must adhere to and comply with safety regulations, personnel policies and procedures.

Must receive Safety and Hazardous Communication training annually. Knowledgeable of OSHA and CLIA requirements to assure compliance; and exercise universal precautions. Receive annual health immunization updates, including TB skin tests and for clinical staff, hepatitis B series.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: Performance will be evaluated by the Director of Behavioral Health annually, wherein a satisfactory overall rating is considered the minimum acceptable level of performance. PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS: Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours.

Must be able to express ideas clearly and concisely; and exercise balanced judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.

PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI) ACCESS - ROLE-BASED: Access to PHI is limited to the minimum necessary for assigned case management and care coordination functions, except where access is otherwise authorized for treatment purposes under applicable law and FPHC policy.

Use and disclosure must comply with applicable privacy, security, and confidentiality requirements.