Clinical Social Worker

We are seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable individual to manage the day-to-day flow, referrals, care coordination, and acute addiction counseling services for patients enrolled in the Suboxone program. This role also supports individuals in the contemplative stage of treatment for substance use. This full-time role is 100% in-person and requires daily attendance at our Broadway Family Medicine Clinic in Minneapolis, MN.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily operations and patient flow within the Suboxone program.
• Provide acute addiction counseling and care coordination.
• Utilize harm reduction strategies and available resources to support patients on their recovery journey.
• Build rapport and create therapeutic relationships with patients, fostering an open, trusting, and patient-centered environment.
• Develop professional trust with clinic providers, acting as the main connection between patients and their healthcare providers.
• Collaborate with internal and external care team providers to ensure patients are progressing towards their recovery goals.

Job Duties:

Support primary care providers with addiction medicine visits, including care coordination (65%)

• Serves as the main contact in the clinic for patients enrolled in the suboxone program, facilitating transitions of care within and between care settings, providers, and services.
• Manage all referrals to the suboxone program, which may include registering new patients, explaining program guidelines and expectations to the patient, and scheduling appointments.
• Meet with all new patients to offer care coordination for resources or support.
• Maintain a patient panel within the electronic health record (EHR). Contact patients when prescriptions refills are due, and appointments are needed.
• Provide support for patients who are experiencing acute mental health/addiction crises. Apply solution-focused strategies to help patients meet their needs.
• Facilitate internal referrals through the EHR by reaching out to the patient and scheduling as appropriate.
• Available for warm hand-offs from providers to meet with patients who are still in the pre-contemplative or contemplative stages with their substance use. Use motivational interviewing skills to assist the patient in making an informed decision.
• Complete and submit prior authorization requests to insurance providers for prescribed medications.
• Contact pharmacies, as needed, for patients when issues arise regarding any of their prescribed medications.
• Update care team, as needed, when any changes are made to the patient's care plan and document the changes in the EHR.
• Advocate for patients by evaluating obstacles to medical care at the clinic, such as transportation or other access barriers.
• Coordinate with outside agencies (i.e., treatment centers, probation officers, CPS workers, etc.) to support patients.
• Assist patients with following up on any external referrals to specialty services.
• Meet with patients who are actively in withdrawal and looking for detox services.
• Provides information and resources to patients who are seeking treatment (residential or outpatient). Assists patients with scheduling if they have phone insecurity.
• Participate in faculty, resident, and new employee orientation/education.
• Collaborate with the clinical team to develop and implement policies and procedures for the social work / care coordination services at the clinic.

Clinical research support; Documentation for reporting (20%)

• Assist research team with brief behavioral interventions.
• Help patients to set care goals and document appropriate information in the EHR.
• Administer surveys to patient participants enrolled in a research study.
• Document required program data, as needed, for reporting purposes.

Community engagement and networking with partners; maintaining list of community resources (10%)

• Maintain a database of community-based resources available to patients, including resources for health insurance, support groups, detox centers, discount medication resources, dual diagnosis treatment centers, housing, food access, and transportation.
• Collaborate with outside agencies and clinics in the community who are starting suboxone programs to share best practices.
• Advocate for patient needs within the University of Minnesota and UM-Physicians organizations, as well as the broader community.
• Regularly attend webinars and other training related to SUDs and treatment options.
• Maintain a calendar of community events and forums, participate in recovery fairs. Update existing and create new information materials to share with partners for distribution.

Harm reduction (5%)

• Provide Narcan education and training to patients and/or family members, as needed.
• Keep current with harm reduction strategies to provide patient-centered, culturally responsive care.
• Distribute Narcan reversal kits and Fentanyl and Xylazine testing kits.
• Assemble and distribute first aid kits to community partners working directly with unhoused populations.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Independently licensed Mental health Professional as defined by MN statute either as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), or a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). License must be active and in good standing.
• Advanced degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field, plus 4 years of experience, or terminal degree plus 1 year of experience.
• MN state licenses, or eligible to be licensed in the State of Minnesota.
• In-depth knowledge of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Strong understanding of harm reduction strategies and available resources.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2-4 years of experience in social work within healthcare setting.
• Experience serving patients with mental and chemical health needs.
• Knowledge of community resources and/or social service agencies.
• Experience in providing culturally appropriate care to diverse patient populations.
• Ability to assist patients in lower socioeconomic areas.

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota was created more than 50 years ago in response to a legislative mandate to train primary care physicians. Since then, we have been leaders in transforming the specialty through education, research, and patient care. We are the academic sponsor of seven family medicine residencies-five in the Twin Cities, two in Greater Minnesota. We are involved in medical student education activities across the Medical School's two campuses: Twin Cities and Duluth. We sponsor five fellowship programs-sports medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, behavioral medicine, clinical informatics, and human sexuality- and offer continuing medical education opportunities. We are regularly among the top National Institutes of Health-funded family medicine departments. Our faculty are actively researching health disparities, healthcare delivery, and population health. More at https://med.umn.edu/familymedicine.

Pay Range: $79,645 to $88,921 annually and we anticipate most offers will be around the midpoint of this range, depending on education and experience.

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).