Psychiatric Social Worker

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking an experienced mission-driven, dedicated individual to fill the role of Psychiatric Social Worker for the Central Office. The selected candidate will be responsible for a variety of functions including behavioral health advocacy and promoting appropriate psychotropic medication use, and will also serve as a member of the DCF Health and Medical Services Team (HMST).

The incumbent will also be instrumental in supporting our new antipsychotic monitoring program. This program provides medical oversight of antipsychotic medication utilization and helps streamline the current Rogers process in collaboration with DCF Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

·       Support implementation of the new antipsychotic monitoring program in close collaboration with the DCF Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist.

·       Collect and document initial requests for antipsychotic medication from prescribers in the community.

·       Gather key case information to support case review by the Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist.

·       Communicate with treating prescribers in the community around psychotropic medication requests, gathering additional information such as clinical history, lab work, and vital signs.

·       Facilitate communication with DCF legal team to initiate the Rogers process and track youth with active Rogers orders.

·       Work with the DCF Medical Data Analyst to maintain a database of youth on antipsychotic medications or active Rogers orders, and monitoring data on required medical testing.

·       Provide creative feedback regarding the antipsychotic monitoring program to streamline the processes.

·       Establish and maintain effective relationships between DCF, community psychiatric providers, and other child serving agencies such as DMH.

·       Collaborate with the DCF Medical Director, DCF Medical Data Analyst, the HMST Supervisor, Area Offices and other specialty units (Regional Nurses, Central Office Medical Social Worker, Substance Abuse Coordinators, Domestic Violence Specialists and Mental Health Specialists), on individual cases regarding children with complex mental health needs.

• Identify mental healthcare trends, staff training needs and barriers to appropriate psychotropic medication use.
• Collaborate with the DCF Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for staff trainings.
• Evaluate and guide social work practice issues in the development, revision and implementation of mental healthcare-related policies and practices. 

Required Qualifications:

Current and valid licensure as a Licensed Certified Social Worker or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Social Work.

Preferred Qualifications: 

·       Knowledge of the mental health issues of abused and neglected children.

·       Several years of psychiatric social work experience working in an acute hospital psychiatric inpatient unit or in residential or group care programs, working with children  who have mental health conditions.

·       Ability to think creatively and adapt to an evolving novel program.

·       Demonstrated ability to provide consultation and advice regarding mental health issues as part of a multidisciplinary team.

·       Professional social work experience with ethnically, culturally, racially and/or economically diverse populations.

·       Demonstrated ability to navigate systems and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. 

·       Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly via electronic mail and to utilize computer applications such as Word, Access, and Excel.

Knowledge and commitment to the needs of youth in the child welfare system.

 TO Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. 

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by: stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and, 6) committed to continuous learning.

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. 

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option 4

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE:  None.  (See Required Education and Licenses.) 

REQUIRED EDUCATION:  A Master's or higher degree in social work. 

LICENSES:   Based on assignment, travel may be required.  Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state. 

-  Current and valid licensure as a Licensed Certified Social Worker or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Social Work.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.