Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Introduction

The Community League of the Heights (CLOTH), a nonprofit, community–based, community development organization, has served the communities of Washington Heights, Hamilton Heights, and Inwood for over 72 years.  From its inception as a block association on West 159^th Street, CLOTH has worked to provide a comprehensive range of services for its neighbors, expanding its programming over the years to encompass affordable housing development, tenant and community organizing, afterschool programs, nutrition, job training, primary health care, and education, among others.  Over the years, CLOTH has developed more than 3000 units of affordable and supportive housing.  The Organization also conceived, developed and now partners with a 6^th to 12^th grade New York City Public School, the Community Health Academy of the Heights.  In all of its work, CLOTH continues to operate under the guiding principle: “Our doors are always open to neighbors in need.” 

CLOTH seeks to hire a LCSW who will be responsible for assessing and counseling participants in a 5-year stroke study and mentor the organization’s other social workers. CLOTH is partnering with New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia Medical School to conduct the study and The National Institute of Health is the funder.  The LCSW will conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessment on each patient enrolled in the study at the initial home visit within 72 hours of discharge.  Following this assessment, the LCSW will develop a 1-hour per week plan covering a three-month period for delivering short-term individualized counseling focused on: (1) developing effective coping skills and adjustment to living with stroke; (2) reducing caregiver strain and increasing caregiver capacity; and (3) coping with psychological distress associated with experiences of racism and SDOH.  Counseling services will follow Columbia Medical School guidelines for medical social services in the homecare setting which focus on the current medical condition, SDOH, and barriers to Plans of Care.  Patients in the intervention arm receiving standard-of-care homecare services will not need a secondary homecare referral for social work services.

Schedule: Full-time 

Start date: ASAP.

Main Location:  500 West 159^th Street, NYC NY

Please note this position involves travel throughout NYC.

Overall Responsibilities

·       Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments.

·       Provide residents with relevant therapy and psychotherapy or refer to outside services when appropriate.

·       Administer interventions and evidence-based treatment.

·       Oversee case management.  

·       Manage and mentor other Social Workers

Daily Duties:  Administer According to Study Guidelines

·       Provide emotional support, guidance, and access to whatever resources are necessary in order to improve or solve a patient’s issues.

·       Active case management and follow up with patients.

·       Provide status updates to other members of the study team.

·       Based on interactions with patients, identify and document opportunities for improving the social services provided by CLOTH.

·       Update Apricot Data Management System and study tracking system with case management details.

Skills and Experience

·       Prior experience working with stroke patients or patients with physical disabilities is a plus.

·       Experienced with working in a medical study environment and adhering to study protocols.

·       Comfortable and effective working with a low-income population from diverse ethnic backgrounds, language skills, age, and gender.

·       High level of empathy, caring, patience and compassion.

·       A genuine interest in people and a positive attitude.

·       Skilled at empowering clients and providing hope that they can overcome their challenges.

·       Experienced supervising new social workers or interns.

·       Comfortable in taking the lead – can take charge of a problem situation and quickly devise and communicate solutions.

·       A great deal of knowledge about NYC services and organizations that study participants can take advantage of for free or low cost, i.e.  NYC Government, Nonprofit Groups, Health Care Organizations.

·       Experience and ability to work largely independently while managing multiple tasks and competing priorities.

·       Ability and experience in working in a fast-paced team-oriented environment.

Required Qualifications

·       Must be fluent in Spanish and English – written and spoken.

·       Master’s degree in social work with an active NY State LCSW credential.

·       2-3 years of experience as a LCSW serving low-income populations.

·       Effective working with children, youth, adults, and senior citizens. 

·       Proficient in all Micro Soft Office Applications:  PPT, Word, Excel.

·       Excellent presentation skills.

·       Strong oral and written communication skills

·       Excellent problem solver.

·       Ability to work closely with people of diverse backgrounds, ages, and cultures.

·       Completed Supervisor in Field Course and certified to supervise student interns.