As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position provides professional counseling services of a preventative and developmental nature through direct consultation with patients. Therapy activities include individual, group and couples counseling. The incumbent develops program criteria for area of specialization such as couples or addictive behavior counseling. This position may be responsible for supervising the work of Social Workers, Interns or other caseworkers.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our four hospitals and seventeen clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

This position serves on the University of Utah Mental Health First Responders team (MH1) to provide safe, supportive, and therapeutic care for University of Utah students and assists with the provision of basic patient care needs.

MH1 team members will be cross-trained for other service lines, such as SafeUT and Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT).

A partnership with Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI), the University Counseling Center (UCC), and University Housing and Residential Education (HRE) has been established to provide free crisis response and stabilization treatment and referral programs that aim to keep the University of Utah student community safe. These crisis service programs are designed to provide students with a full range of options to help solve their crisis in the best setting possible. Follow-up services can be provided or coordinated to included additional therapy sessions within the MH1 program, referrals to the University Counseling Center (UCC) or community-based mental health services, or higher levels of care.

Our team of professionals are highly trained in mental health crisis management and suicide prevention.

Under the oversight of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.) this position provides psychological and social support to patients and families and may be responsible for integrating counseling services with overall patient care. The Social Worker assists patients in meeting their psychosocial needs whether it be, the supervised practice of mental health therapy or facilitating patient adjustment in treatment, hospitalization or transition into the community after therapy.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Essential Functions

• Evaluates patients through interviews and psychosocial assessments in order to establish and develop treatment plans and treatment goals in conjunction with the licensed treatment team.
• Administers approved counseling which involves social work assessments, counseling and/or treatment to patients, families or significant others.
• Identifies and provides outreach in the form of information and referrals for community resources to patients and families such as shelter, transportation, future treatment plans and financial assistance.
• Develops and provides stress management/wellness treatment plans for inpatient and outpatient populations.
• May perform some Case Management duties.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job outlined above.

• Care is appropriate to the population served.

• Demonstrated human relations and effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, problem solve, and resolve conflicts for individuals, couples and groups.

• Ability to identify and arrange community resources that provide individualized assistance for patients, which may involve post-treatment financial assistance, shelter and transportation.

• Ability to make recommendations based upon experience regarding policy and delivery of service.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.

• Demonstrate the knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

• One of the following
  • Current Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.) certificate for clinical practice in the State of Utah.
  • Current license to practice as a Certified Social Worker in the State of Utah.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate work that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or otherwise moving objects while providing patient care to those requiring psychiatric care.