Health Center Social Worker

POSITION TITLE:Health Center Social Worker

DEPARTMENT:Mental Health

REPORTS TO:Director of Mental Health & AHT Services

DIRECT REPORTS:IntegratedBehavioral Specialist Social Worker

LOCATION:41st Street Shelter Health Center

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter housing and wraparound support services for vulnerable homeless runaway and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City CHNY impacts the lives of over 1500 young people aged 1624 every year.

At CHNY our doors are open to all young people in need regardless of race religion sexual orientation gender identity and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services including shelter housing education employment health mental health support youth development and antihuman trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and traumainformed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change influencing public policy and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion unconditional love and absolute respect.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires longterm transformation and hope.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Mental Health the Health Center Social Worker who is CASACcertified is responsible for providing psychosocial services including crisis intervention risk/psychosocial assessments connecting youth to resources in the community and shortterm supportive counseling to a diverse youth homeless population and community patients. The Health Center Social Worker will also lead the continued integration of mental health primary care and substance use services for clients utilizing our Federally Qualified Health Center and residing in our crisis shelter. The Health Center Social Worker should have a focus and understanding of traumainformed care and working with clients who have experienced significant trauma. The Health Center Social Worker will participate in interdisciplinary case conferences work with primary care providers and assist with program development to ensure highquality delivery of services.

The Health Center Social Worker provides psychosocial services using a variety of interventions including evidencebased models such as TFCBT DBT and Motivational Interviewing to young adults aged 1621 residing in a 120bed RHY shelter and aftercare services as well as community clients utilizing our Federally Qualified Health Center.

As this is a new position the Health Center Social Worker must be comfortable in a rapidly changing environment where processes and protocols are being developed and refined as the program operates. Flexibility excellent communication and problemsolving abilities are critical to successfully fulfilling the requirements of this position. This position includes opportunities to be trained and certified in evidencebased practices (EBPs) and continuing education credit opportunities through the InUnity Behavioral Health Coalition of which CHNY is a member. It also provides individual and group supervision by an LCSW to pursue LCSW licensure.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following)

• Provide initial evaluations utilizing assessment tools such as the PHQ9 and CRAAFT.
• Provide individual group counseling and psychoeducation with a specialization in substance use to youth experiencing homelessness and community clients to address mental health and psychosocial needs. This includes shortterm crisis intervention advocacy and followup for the designated caseload.
• Collaborating with our Health Center AHT legal and residential teams to provide wraparound services for youth.
• Complete psychosocial assessments (e.g. screening for mental health and substance use concerns and mental status) for higherneeds residents. Identify current mental health social and emotional needs make initial recommendations make inhouse and outside referrals and write appropriate summary reports.
• Actively link people who are interested in longerterm mental health and substance use support to communitybased providers and communicate with providers/social workers at referring agencies as necessary.
• Become trained in and integrate evidencebased programs.
• Provide consultation and training to Social Workers Case Managers and program staff particularly around substance use providing assessments information (regarding issues around trauma mental health and substance use) and referrals as needed.
• Meet regularly with clinical supervisor to discuss concerns reflect on practice and client needs and carry out plans for young people.
• Provide dotted line CASAC supervisory support to the Integrated Behavioral Health Specialist.
• Be vigilant about maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for our youth.
• Document in the required systems of record in a timely and accurate manner

Schedule

• OnSite Weekday Shifts 9:00 AM5:00 PM or later as well as 12:00 PM8:00 PM on Wednesday the Health Centers late day)
• 1 Saturday Shift per month to start with with the potential to increase
• Overall a Flexible schedule is required.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

• This position provides dotted line supervision to the Integrated Behavioral Specialist.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education & Experience

• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or LMHC and CASAC required.
• Bilingual preferred.

Knowledge/Skills

• A minimum of two 2 years of experience providing counseling and case work with atrisk youth is highly preferred; internships in this field will be considered. Knowledge of trauma and mental health issues facing multistressed youth and families.
• Experience working in a homeless shelter residential or healthcare setting and knowledge of social service systems are preferred.
• Solid assessment interviewing and crisis intervention skills.
• Excellent verbal written and problemsolving abilities required.
• Experience working with diverse groups preferred.
• Experience documenting on an EMR
• Experience utilizing evidencebased and other social service models preferred
• Dedicated to the mission of Covenant House.

Benefits

Covenant House New York offers a rich package of benefits including but not limited to:

• Medical

• Vision

• Dental

• Life & Supplemental Life Insurance

• Shortterm and Longterm disability insurance

• Eligibility for medical benefits begins on the date of hire

• PTO includes three weeks of vacation in the first year ten holidays 13 sick days five personal days and birthday days off

• 403b with employer contribution after 12 months

Covenant House New York is an equalopportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability status protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation and we are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment where everyone feels respected and valued. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability contact us at