Social Worker MGH SUD Bridge Clinic

Massachusetts General Hospital
United States, Massachusetts, Boston
100 Blossom Street (Show on map)
Mar 05, 2025
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Intake Coordination: Assess patients who are referred to Bridge Clinic from inpatient, ED, and community settings with complex mental health and addiction needs to aid with evaluation, treatment planning, and linkage to most appropriate care placement. Assist in providing brief assessment for urgent or unscheduled walk-in patients to ascertain specific mental health care needs, in collaboration with nurses or provider, and assist with linkage to care as needed. Clinical Care: Provide crisis intervention as needed for patients who present for care. Provide trauma informed, short-term, outpatient individual and/or group counseling, utilizing psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to assist patients with treatment readiness, recovery stabilization and wellness goals. Provide clinical support to complex patients on transition planning as they may need clinically informed transfer of care with focus on motivational interviewing and trauma-based perspective. Care Coordination: Work with the Bridge Clinic leadership team to develop best practices for patient referrals to behavioral health services in the clinic. Cultivate relationships with external behavioral health services to successfully transition patients in need of ongoing care when appropriate. In collaboration with Resource Specialist, act as initial point person to communicate with outside treaters (e.g hospitals, CSS) about care coordination for active Bridge patients with dual diagnosis either verbally or electronically, as well as those transitioning to community programs. Ensure that all new patients to Bridge Clinic are introduced to the model of the clinic and begin working on a transition plan when medically appropriate. Work collaboratively with patients and Bridge Clinic staff to assist with patients' transition to long term community-based addiction treatment as appropriate. Ensure integration of care and effective utilization of resources through review of documentation, discussion with providers, and collaboration with patients. Support patients' transfer to all levels of care and interactions with other systems (DCF, probation, incarceration etc.) through the provision of clinical information and documentation to other facilities and systems. This may include drafting letter of engagement and preparing information to fax, copying portions of the medical record, obtaining releases of information, and engaging in collateral contact. Collaborate with team medical and clinical leadership as appropriate to optimize co-occurring mental health and SUD care, including connection to further supports as clinically indicated. *Complete follow up outreach to patients or treatment organizations as needed to ensure a successful transition to the treatment organization in the disposition plan. Qualifications Master's of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program required. Massachusetts Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) required. Experience in the mental health care field, especially with substance use disorders strongly preferred. Skills The position requires a high degree of flexibility, independence, and willingness to participate in multiple activities that provide support to both patients and caregivers. The position requires strong communication skills and the ability to converse comfortably with patients and their caregivers, as well as with clinical and administrative staff, and to communicate with care team effectively via documentation in medical records Excellent interpersonal, collaborative, customer service and advocacy skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment. Excellent judgment and ability to work independently in a unique position. Flexibility and resourcefulness as well as strong assessment and problem-solving skills. Strong computer skills. Familiarity with addiction treatment, systems of care, and community resources. Ability to advocate/negotiate systems for/with patients. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Demonstrates a mastery of a range of specialized clinical diagnoses and interventions. Conducts clinically competent complex and high-risk assessments, treatment plans and interventions. Demonstrates mastery in problem solving abilities, conflict resolution, efficiency, and communication skills. Formulates advanced psychosocial assessments and treatment plans. Supports other staff in developing assessments and plans in complex cases. Demonstrates advanced clinical judgment and innovation in advocating for clients. Demonstrates advanced working knowledge of internal and external resources and refers appropriately. Demonstrate ability to identify problems in order of urgency and initiate treatment plans towards timely solutions and appropriate time management skills. Demonstrates the ability to articulate SW clinical perspective in team meetings, effectively collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to comprehensively problem solve and optimize a plan of care. Escalates to Social Work leadership all operational issues and high risk and complex cases. May provide clinical supervision based on department need (MSW students and/or social work staff). Seeks opportunities in the department and hospital or may be asked by SW leadership to participate in initiatives, projects, quality reviews, and committees and participates in these at an entity and Enterprise level. Creates content for skill-based groups. Promotes timely and concise collaboration among all disciplines and outside stakeholders to enhance patient care (including but not limited to, Ethics Committee, SDoH Committee, Office of General Counsel, Case Management department, etc.). The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.