Job Overview

As one of the oldest medical schools in the country, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (COM) has a reputation for training best-in-class health care professionals and developing cutting-edge procedures and research that improves the health and clinical care of patients. In partnership with the UC Health academic healthcare system and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, College of Medicine’s faculty are transforming the world of medicine every day. The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience is a top-tier department with world-renowned faculty and staff. 

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati (UC), College of Medicine (COM) is seeking a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) to provide support and coordination of the mental and physical health care of patients on an assigned patient caseload with the patient’s medical provider and, when appropriate, other mental health providers. This position is a core member of a team based integrated mental health care model that includes the patient’s oncology medical provider or oncology primary care physician and psychiatric consultant. The care model is based on the Collaborative Care Model and is based on a population based, measurement driven approach that has strong evidence to improve outcomes for patients. This is an innovative position with an opportunity to get trained by national leaders in this unique model of integrated mental health care in medical settings. This is also an opportunity for a clinician who thrives in growing and developing new programs as part of a dynamic team with close collaboration with medical providers.

Essential Functions

• Support the mental and physical health care of oncology patients on an assigned patient caseload. Closely coordinate care with the patient’s oncology medical provider and, when appropriate, other mental health providers.
• Screen and assess patients for common mental health and substance abuse disorders. Facilitate patient engagement and follow-up care.
• Provide patient education about common mental health and substance abuse disorders and the available treatment options.
• Systematically track treatment response and monitor patients (in person or by telephone) for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects or complications.
• Support psychotropic medication management as prescribed by medical providers, focusing on treatment adherence monitoring, side effects, and effectiveness of treatment.
• Provide brief behavioral interventions using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, motivational interviewing, or other treatments as appropriate.
• Provide or facilitate in-clinic or outside referrals to evidence-based psychosocial treatments (e.g. problem-solving treatment or behavioral activation) as clinically indicated.
• Participate in regularly scheduled (usually weekly) caseload consultation with the psychiatric collaborating consultant and communicate resulting treatment recommendations to the patient’s medical provider. Consultations will focus on patients new to the caseload and those who are not improving as expected under the current treatment plan. Case reviews may be conducted by telephone, video, or in person.
• Track patient follow up and clinical outcomes using a registry. Document in-person and telephone encounters in the registry and use the system to identify and re-engage patients.
• Document patient progress and treatment recommendations in EHR and other required systems to be shared with medical providers, psychiatric consultant, and other treating providers.
• Facilitate treatment plan changes for patients who are not improving as expected in consultation with the medical provider and the psychiatric consultant and who may need more intensive or more specialized mental health care. 
• Facilitate referrals for clinically indicated services outside of the organization (e.g., social services such as housing assistance, vocational rehabilitation, mental health specialty care, substance abuse treatment).
• Develop and complete relapse prevention self-management plan with patients who have achieved their treatment goals and are soon to be discharged from the caseload.

Required Education

Master’s Degree must be in Social Work.

Required Trainings/Certifications

State of Ohio Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).

Required Experience

Two (2) years of supervised social work experience.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment