Job Information
Fenway Health High Acuity Social Worker in Boston, Massachusetts
High Acuity Social Worker
Boston, MA (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=75+Amory+St+Boston+MA+USA+02119) • Prevention
Job Type
Full-time
Description
Fenway Health is committed to providing comprehensive care to individuals living with HIV (PLWH). Many of our patients face significant social barriers that hinder their ability to engage in healthcare and maintain viral suppression, which can lead to negative health outcomes and increased risk of HIV transmission.
The High Acuity Social Worker, reporting to the Administrative and Clinical Managers for the High Acuity Community Health Worker (CHW) Program, ensures that PLWH are appropriately assessed, triaged, and supported while managing a modest caseload (20 clients at a time) for individual, low barrier 1:1 therapy. This role plays a crucial part in collaborating with High Acuity CHWs, each managing their own caseloads and supporting unenrolled patients in a drop-in setting, to provide crisis intervention and emotional support. Once a PLWH is enrolled and the case is assigned to a High Acuity CHW, the High Acuity Social Worker works closely with the assigned CHW to develop a service plan and delivery process aimed at stabilization and engagement in medical services. The High Acuity Social Worker will also provide 1:1 therapy using a harm reduction approach, and may have the opportunity to develop and facilitate support groups.
Representative Duties:
Triage and Drop-in Services
Conduct initial assessments, including Public Health intake and Ryan White Part A eligibility screening.
Link clients to culturally competent resources and treatment, focusing on individuals experiencing homelessness, active substance use, recent immigrants, people of color, and/or those identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Respond to requests from program staff for routine and crisis interventions, including warm handoffs and support during drop-in services.
Assist program leadership in managing drop-in services, ensuring clients are promptly connected to a High Acuity CHW.
Individual Service Plan Development and Oversight
Support High Acuity CHWs in developing and updating service plans for enrolled clients.
Coach High Acuity CHWs to deliver effective care, services, and communication.
Guide High Acuity CHWs in helping clients develop risk reduction strategies and self-sufficiency skills.
Direct Supervision of High Acuity CHWs
Provide guidance to High Acuity CHWs on client interactions, modeling appropriate boundaries and care approaches.
Hold regular 1:1 supervision with High Acuity CHWs, reviewing cases and offering coaching to ensure the delivery of high-quality services and strong interventions.
Monitor High Acuity CHW caseloads, ensuring proper enrollment, assessment, and discharge processes are followed.
Support High Acuity CHWs with training, including safety planning and crisis management.
Maintain individual therapy caseload for the provision of psychosocial services
Provide low-threshold, accessible services to clients in community, office, and remote settings.
Works closely with High Acuity CHWs to review initial service plans, service plan updates, , and discharge summaries according to funder requirements, department standards and in accordance with Fenway policy
Attends to the requirements for obtaining and tracking Ryan White and Public Health/ARCH eligibility and timely reassessments of needs
Leads program expectations for document collection and High Acuity CHW collaboration
Provides consultation to, and collaborates with, other care providers that constitute a client’s health care or public health team
Meets Agency Participatory Expectation
Participates in regularly scheduled supervision
Participates in staff meetings, training, and continuing education activities of the Fenway Health Prevention and Nursing Departments.
Adheres to all agency and department policies and procedures
Adheres to the highest principles of patient and client confidentiality
Attends and actively participates in department and agency meetings, in-services, and trainings
Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintain and provide agency with credentials and continuing education activities as required
Performs other duties as related
Requirements
Masters in social work + LCSW in state of MA
At least two years of relevant experience
Commitment to reducing barriers to accessing medical care and supportive services with low-threshold and risk reduction models
Ability to complete documentation in a timely manner, and maintain up to date client care documentation required
Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to multitask required
Experience and demonstrated competence working with the following populations: LGBTQ, people of color, immigrants, people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS and/or medical issues, trauma, substance use, homelessness, and mental illness
Capacity to work independently and as part of interdisciplinary team
Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients, and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin, and immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional, and developmental), veteran status, and/or limited English proficiency.
Willingness to contribute towards Fenway’s efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued.
Preferred Qualifications:
Minimum of two years of supervisory experience
LICSW
Experience working with clients who have substance use issues and knowledge of and commitment to using a harm reduction, motivational interviewing, trauma informed, strengths-based and client centered approaches
Experience working with an ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse work staff preferred Experience in clinical screening assessment/evaluation preferred
Physical Requirements:
Sit at a computer station for extended periods of time
Ability to keyboard for extended periods of time
Ability to travel between sites
We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.
LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Salary Description
$57,600 - $65,000 /year