Rushford logo
Rushford
Meriden, Connecticut

Lead Clinician (LCSW) - Adult

Social WorkerIncludes callFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Location Detail: Rushford Center Inc Meriden (10172)

*New Hires Eligible for Sign-On Up To $3,000*

Work where every moment matters.

Every day, over 40,000 Hartford HealthCare colleagues come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut’s most comprehensive healthcare network.

Rushford Center, one of Connecticut’s leading providers of addiction and mental health services, is nationally recognized for delivering outstanding prevention, treatment and recovery programs.

We offer a wide range of programs including Acute Care and Evaluation, Residential Addiction Treatment, Individual, Group & Family Therapy, Intensive Outpatient programs and Community Support Programs.

Through the passion of our specialists, we continue to treat every patient with care, compassion and respect, while providing affordable and accessible services.

Job Summary

Provides inpatient/outpatient and/or community care for clients and families across the continuum of care by assuring access, providing assessments and coordinating clinical summary treatment plan determining level of care. Assumes a caseload and performs behavioral health, substance use services, and/or crisis intervention services independently. Assumes leadership responsibilities as assigned by program manager.

Job Responsibilities

Provides direct client care using individual, group, and family therapy specific to each client’s needs as indicated on treatment plan.

Prepares appropriate medical documentation to meet regulatory requirements of licensing and third party agencies as well as internal policies.

Assesses and plans care by evaluating the psychiatric and psychosocial needs of the client; organizes and prioritizes care and treatment and advocates appropriate resources for the client and family.

Provides in home clinical services and/or direct crisis intervention to clients and families in multiple sites in the system and in the community.

Provides continuous education to client and family members and refers them to appropriate levels of care, to support groups and to other available resources in order to maximize care and facilitate recovery or treatment process.

Proficient in working effectively across programs for clients with both mental health and substance use disorders.

Negotiates level of care and length of stay with managed care companies; continually re-evaluates client’s needs and informs the third party payers of ongoing changes in the client’s status.

Works collaboratively with internal and external partners along the continuum of care to provide an integrated delivery of healthcare to all clients and families.

  • Conducts Emergency Evaluations for clients in the community if required by the program.
  • Participates and leads administrative activities including, team meetings and staff education as designed by the Program Manager.
  • Assumes clinical oversight of daily operations in manager’s absence.
  • Assumes leadership responsibilities and initiatives as directed by Program Manager.

Qualifications

  • Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field.
  • Three years' experience providing direct services to psychiatric patients, substance abuse population.
  • Previous experience in assessment, diagnosis, and individual/group therapy and crisis intervention.
  • Valid CT driver's license.
  • Active Connecticut LCSW license.
  • As a Hartford HealthCare entity, Rushford provides eligible employees with an extensive benefits package consisting of:
  • Medical and dental benefits
  • 401(k) plan with employer match
  • Generous paid time off with accrual starting on the date of hire, including seven paid holidays
  • Additional voluntary benefits as well as employee discount programs

With locations around the state, Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth. Here, you are part of an organization on the cutting edge – helping to bring new technologies, breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men, women and children.

We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees- we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure work/life balance. Every moment matters. And this is your moment.

Key Responsibilities

Provides direct clinical care including individual, group, and family therapy while coordinating treatment plans across the continuum of care. Assumes leadership responsibilities, manages a caseload, and performs crisis interventions in both clinical and community settings.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual therapySubstance abuse treatmentPsychiatric assessmentClinical documentationTreatment planningCase managementMental health counselingEmergency evaluationPatient advocacyManaged care negotiation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Lead Clinician (LCSW) - Adult at Rushford a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) — ranked against 2,010 active Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Social Worker Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Connecticut is 103.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 62.6% of Connecticut clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Jobs

16 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution15 jobs · 9 employers

4
<$100k
3
$100k-115k
2
$115k-130k
5
$130k-145k
1
$146k

Annual compensation range

Work-Life Balance Distribution16 jobs · 9 employers

0
1-2
0
3-4
5
5-6
8
7-8
3
9-10

Higher = better work-life balance

#1

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Bilingual)Contract

Adelphi Staffing · White Plains, New York

$70/hr
#2

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

LifeStance Health · West Linn, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#3

Remote (LCSW) Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Virginia

$66/hr
#4

Licensed Clinical Social Worker / LCSW

$60-$65/hr
+ 14 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.4
Better work-life than 60% of Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 2,010 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call

Living in Meriden

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$354k
Typical market rent
$1,903/mo
Residents’ average commute
23 min
State income tax
Up to 7%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Rushford logo

About Rushford

Mental Health Care
Meriden, CT
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical and dental benefits
401(k) plan with employer match
Generous paid time off
Seven paid holidays
Employee discount programs
Sign-on bonus up to $3,000