Union Community Health Center (UNION) is one of the largest FQHC’s in New York State, serving approximately 38,000 patients from six locations in the central Bronx. The service area is comprised of over 600,000 individuals whose majority of incomes are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The service area has a large undocumented immigration population, living with high rates of asthma, diabetes and hypertension. HIV/AIDS, individuals and families affected by substance abuse, mental illness and other health conditions known to be associated with low socioeconomic/educational status and restricted access to care are represented in rates higher than national benchmarks. The Robert Wood Johnson Health Foundation has rated Bronx County the worst of 62 counties for Health outcomes. The opioid epidemic also is most noted here within this medically vulnerable population.

PRINCIPAL MISSION: UNION proposes to hire a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSCW) and or CASAC with a background in substance abuse, to provide a bridge for chronic opioid users in primary care to behavioral health and treatment programs as needed. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• LCSW will assure primary care physicians identifies patients that have been high utilizers of opioid drugs for chronic non-cancer pain.
• Patients identified by primary care physicians will then be referred to the specialized LCSW for evaluation to remove any bias.
• LCSW will evaluate and screen patients utilizing DAST-10 evidence based screening tool to assess risk level.
• LCSW will counsel and refer patients to specialty treatment services as needed.
• After counseling, if patient declines referral he/she will be referred back to primary care physician by LCSW.
• LCSW will verify that the patient understands the referral process.
• LCSW will monitor patient for a maximum of 3 visits until referral is secured.
• Work directly with nursing, primary care physicians and behavioral health staff
• Conduct initial screening, evaluation and diagnosing underlying mental illness.
• Employ crisis intervention and serve as a consultant to primary care physicians and nursing staff.
• Participate in daily huddles in family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics.
• Attend behavioral health team rounds, weekly group supervision and present complex and new cases.
• Document in EMR in a timely manner.
• Maintain daily tracking log and submit on a monthly basis.
• Promote awareness of behavioral health through outreach.
• Adhere to Social Work Code of Ethics.
• Adhere to center policies, treating patients, visitors, and co-workers in a professional manner, exercising courtesy and tact. Effectively communicate with patients and others about UCHC services in their area of expertise or responsibility and ensure that concerns, questions or issue reach the right person (s) in UCHC in a timely fashion.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work
• Licensure required Valid NY Stated LCSW
• Substance Abuse background
• Experience working in primary care setting preferred
• Strong Communication skills, both written and verbal
• English fluency/Spanish preferred but no required
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability and gender issues.

Department: Behavioral Health

Position type: Full Time

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email cover letter and resume to:

Mildred Casiano, LCSW-R, M.P.H
Director of Behavioral Health
Union Community Health Center
260 East 188th Street
Bronx, New York 10458
718-960-3425
718-960-3949 fax
mcasiano@uchcbronx.org