Social Work - Social Worker
VNS Health
Bronx, NY

Join our dynamic team at VNS Health, where innovation meets compassion in the heart of behavioral health services. With the addition of our new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBC), we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals battling substance use disorders. Our multidisciplinary team is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care, and we're looking for a talented Substance Use Disorder Specialist to join us in our mission. As a Substance Use Disorder Specialist, you'll play a crucial role in transforming lives by delivering top-notch behavioral health services to individuals grappling with substance use disorders. You'll collaborate closely with a diverse team of professionals to create and coordinate personalized treatment plans, addressing both substance use and co-occurring mental health diagnoses. Your expertise and dedication will be key in providing holistic care and facilitating meaningful recovery journeys for our clients.

• Assists with the development of social work and or psychosocial assessments of patients/families, placing special emphasis on substance use issues.
• Assists in the development of treatment plans and goals based on a diagnostic assessment of the presenting problems and historical information, the establishment of long-term goals and the administration of follow-up procedures.
• Provides ongoing substance use services and/or collaborates with and refers to appropriate agencies.
• Conducts individual and group counseling sessions using evidence-based practices.
• Provides advocacy and assistance in obtaining entitlements and community services to patients/families and other caregivers.
• Completes accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record system.
• Provides continuous evaluation of persons involved in treatment.
• Assists staff, patients, families and other caregivers to understand substance use issues, entitlements and community resources.
• Initiates and maintains written and verbal communications according to department policy and treatment goals.
• Identifies and provides referrals for social determinants of health concerns.
• Maintains productivity sufficient to meet department goals.
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to improve service delivery processes to management.
• Performs established workflow procedures.
• Acts as a liaison with other community agencies.
• Participates in related department activities, e.g., utilization review, staff meetings, education programs, etc.
• Conducts intake interviews, biopsychosocial assessments, mental health, substance use, and other screenings.
• Collects specimens for toxicology tests.
• Prepares monthly updates for court or other referring agencies.
• Develops discharge/transfer plans.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Licenses and Certifications:
Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) required

Education:
High School Diploma or equivalent required
Bachelor's Degree preferred

Work Experience:
Minimum of one year of training and/or experience in integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment required
Demonstrated skill or knowledge in substance use assessment and diagnosis, principles and practices of harm reduction, and application of stage-wise treatment and motivational interviewing strategies required
Computer literacy (electronic health records, word processing, email, internet research, data entry) required
Excellent clinical writing skills required
Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred