Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Position Description/Requirements: The Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LISCW) is part of a treatment and outreach team that coordinates and delivers health services in the Vashon Community setting under the district’s Mobile Integrated Health Program (MIH). The LISCW will work closely with the Fire Chief, Program Director and MIH Nurses to respond to residents’ needs for non-emergent medical care, social services resources, and/or crisis intervention that have come through the 9-1-1 system or have been referred to MIH. The LISCW will work up to 16 hours per week.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Respond to patient’s homes with a career EMT, the MIH Nurse or the Physician’s Assistant employed by Vashon Island Fire & Rescue to examine, screen, treat and coordinate delivery of health and social services to individuals with behavioral health needs either referred to the program or identified through the district’s Electronic Health Care Record (EHR) system.
- Conduct assessments of individuals experiencing emotional, behavioral or mental health crisis.
- Work closely with law enforcement and fire department personnel while in the community.
- Provide comprehensive care coordination with other providers as part of wrap-around care. Provide follow through and work to bridge the gap in situations where patients historically fall through the cracks and do not get connected with necessary services. Provide direct clinical services, utilizing evidenced based practices, for acute crisis intervention, acute therapeutic interventions and case management.
- Identify and organize local and regional social services that can benefit the residents of Vashon Island and that can be easily accessed by others.
- Document all patient contacts and interactions in the district’s electronic record system.
- Provide care coordination, care management, patient advocacy, resource identification, and system navigation for patients with needs such as mental/behavioral health, substance use, homelessness/housing, financial, and other social service needs.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local healthcare service providers, Fire Department personnel, and local Law Enforcement agencies.
- Initiate handoffs of patients to appropriate community resources and ensure follow through on service connection.
- Maintains printed and electronic files and correspondence adhering to HIPPA guidelines.
- Other duties as assigned.
Work Environment / Physical Demands:
Must have the ability to effectively use and operate computers and computer software. This is to include typical business office equipment but is not limited to; computers, multiline telephone, copy/fax/scanner machine, digital projector, 800Mz radios, Mobile Data Computers (MDC’s), iPads, iPhones, IOS mobile operating system, and basic medical monitoring equipment.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and listen. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools as listed above, reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Must be able to assist patients and lift when necessary, utilizing lift assistance devices.
Work is performed in an office environment and may include working as part of a two-person team (or crew of more) in public or resident’s private areas during nonemergency operations, and near emergency operations, subject to multiple interruptions from inter-office activities, telephones, walk-in employees, and citizens, etc. The employee is required to periodically support department field operations. The employee may also be called back for support services.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Knowledge, Skills and Other Abilities:
- HIPPA rules and regulations as related to the continuation of care.
- Knowledge of medical terminology.
- Knowledge of EMS system and/or hospital systems.
- Social services available within the community, greater King County, and the State of Washington as well as any federally related programs.
- Properly manage, and document patient’s care needs, care provided, and follow-up care as needed.
- Perform research for patients identified by fire crews and Care Coordinators and establish patient’s non-emergent needs.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- Be able to learn to manage information and generate reports for patients needing follow-up care out of multiple incident reporting systems.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the EMS delivery system within the department and King County, Washington State, and others across the nation.
- Work collaboratively in a team and manage multiple priorities, utilize effective time management skills, and exercise sound administrative and clinical judgment.
- Ability to communicate with others both orally, in writing, and electronically, using technical and non-technical language to include but not limited to, firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, processes, and instructions.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in managing multiple projects and assignments.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with both external and internal customers.
- Microsoft Office 365 Products, Excel, Word, Outlook.
- Proper use of telephone etiquette and techniques to properly assist a diverse assortment of inquiries and people.
- Become familiar with, follow, and actively support Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s mission, vision, and core value statements.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, or a related field such as Sociology, Geriatric or Human Services.
- Six (6) years of experience in case management, care coordination, and crisis intervention.
- Master of Social Work is preferred.
- Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license (or be able to obtain one) without record of suspension or revocation in any state and continuously maintain a valid Driver’s license.
- Successfully pass a medical drug and alcohol screening, psychological examination, and criminal background check.
- Be insurable and bondable under District’s existing vehicle and umbrella liability insurance carrier and Washington State Law.
- Experience / proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.) and file sharing PC systems.
