Social Work Specialist I - Women's Wellness and Counseling Service - Department of Psychiatry at University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa

Job Description:

The Department of Psychiatry is seeking a Social Work Specialist I to provide very specialized therapy services through the Women's Wellness & Counseling Service (WWC). This position requires the delivery of outpatient psychotherapy services at UIHC, North Dodge, and/or Iowa River Landing Clinics and will provide advanced practice skills in adult diagnostic assessment and individual and couples psychotherapy, with opportunities for consultation, program development, supervision, teaching and training, research, group therapy, and/or public education services.


The Women's Wellness & Counseling Service (WWC) is the only clinic in the state of Iowa that provides specialized reproductive mental healthcare services in an outpatient setting. We serve birthing persons across the reproductive spectrum with a focus on the perinatal period. In addition to cutting-edge patient care (psychotherapy and medication management), we provide high-quality education and training to clinicians and student- learners and design research protocols that highlight the value of our clinical and training efforts. Integrated care and collegial collaboration are our greatest strengths. The WWC staff is anchored by leaders in reproductive psychiatry: psychologists, psychiatrists, nurse- practitioners, and social workers, as well as graduate-level students, resident physicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical students.


The University of Iowa, Department of Psychiatry offers competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a collegial professional environment. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has been recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States and is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and regional referral center. We are committed to providing patient-focused care-available to every person, around the clock-in an environment devoted to innovative care, excellent service, and exceptional outcomes.



Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Therapeutic care will be provided to birthing persons and/or couples who are planning to conceive, coping with infertility, or suffering from perinatal loss, those who are pregnant or postpartum, coping with PMS/PMDD or OB-GYN medical concerns, or who are going through the menopausal transition.
• The Social Worker will formulate diagnostic conceptualizations and treatment plans utilizing DSM 5 criteria. Skill at differential diagnosis is important.
• Psychotherapy services will be used to treat patients diagnosed with anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, relationship concerns, disordered eating, trauma/PTSD, and bereavement, with occasional treatment of ADHD, substance use issues, personality disorder, and other psychiatric concerns.
• Advanced skill in risk assessment for suicidal, homicidal, and filicidal intent is vital, as is the ability to assess patient potential to engage in child abuse/neglect.
• Psychotherapeutic care will generally be short-term in nature and will utilize evidence- based therapeutic interventions.
• The Social Worker must be proficient in interdisciplinary collaboration, both within this clinic and throughout the larger hospital system. Team-based care will include consultation with other care providers, comprehensive treatment planning, and provision of appropriate referrals for additional evaluation and services.
• The Social Worker will engage in various educational opportunities including weekly WWC multidisciplinary team meetings/didactic seminars and Psychiatry Grand Rounds, and may participate in OB-GYN Grand Rounds and other hospital educational programs.
• The Social Worker must comply with standards regarding attendance, documentation, continuous quality improvement, data collection, clinic policies, and the Code of Ethics.
• The Social Worker will diligently update their social work and health care knowledge base and pursue further optimization of job-related skills.
• There may be opportunities to engage in program development, provide clinical education and supervision, and develop/implement research initiatives.
• The Social Worker will proactively cultivate collaborative working relationships with administrators, supervisors, coworkers, staff, students, and the public, and will demonstrate respect for all members of the University community in the course of performing their duties. They will provide constructive feedback and will forward any workplace concerns to coworkers and/or their supervisor.
• Recognition and support of the beneficial impact of a diverse workforce is vital. The Social Worker will recognize that diversity brings stimulation, challenge, and energy that contribute to a productive and effective workplace.
• The Social Worker will embody the interests of the University, the department, and the clinic in terms of the use of resources to meet service and productivity goals and budgets. They will strive to promote continual process and quality improvement.
• The Social Worker will seek opportunities to enhance their professional knowledge, skills, and abilities with a goal of preparing for potential role advancement and career development.



Required Education, Licensure, and Qualifications

• A master's degree in social work.
• Must be licensed in Iowa as an LISW by time of hire.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of Social Work experience is required and will include practice in an adult outpatient behavioral health care setting and provision of psychotherapy services to individuals and couples.
• Demonstrated experience with evidence-based practices which may include but would not be limited to: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience as a member of a multidisciplinary care team; this experience should include collaboration with both mental health and non-mental health care providers.
• Strengths in self-direction, ethical decision-making, patient-focused care, and high clinical productivity are necessary.



Desirable Qualifications

• Experience providing evidence-based, time-limited perinatal, reproductive health, and/or female-specific mental health care.
• Experience providing clinical assessment of patients presenting with a wide range of behavioral health complaints and concerns.
• Experience formulating diagnostic opinions and treatment plans utilizing the criteria of the DSM 5.
• Experience providing individual and couples psychotherapy services to patients in an adult outpatient clinic setting, with an ability to tailor therapeutic interventions to fit patient needs and goals.
• Specialized understanding of Iowa abuse/neglect law.



Application Process

In order to be considered, applicants must upload a Cover Letter and Resume (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
Professional references will be required at a later time in the recruitment process.
For more information, contact lori-posey@uiowa.edu .


Additional Information

• Classification Title: Social Work Specialist I
• Appointment Type: SEIU
• Schedule: Full-time

Compensation

• Pay Level: 73

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Lori Posey
• Contact Email: lori-posey@uiowa.edu

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