Medical Social Worker II

Why Join Contra Costa Health?

Contra Costa County is one of the few counties in the nation to offer a full spectrum of health-related services under one organizational structure. The Contra Costa Health Department has over 5,200 employees in nine (9) divisions which include the Office of the Director (OOD), Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC) and Health Centers (HCs), Public Health (PH), Behavioral Health (BH), Emergency Management System (EMS), Environmental Health (EH), Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT), Health, Housing and Homeless (H3), and Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP).

About the Black Infant Health (BIH) program within Public Health:

The Black Infant Health (BIH) program works to improve Black infant and maternal health in Contra Costa County and to decrease disparities for Black women and infants. Anti-Black Racism, as well as social and economic stressors, play a major role in poor birth outcomes. BIH implements an intensive intervention. Group sessions are complemented with client-centered life planning, goal setting and referrals to services for participants and their families. This combination supports women in developing life skills, learn strategies to reduce stress and build social support. BIH participants attend weekly group sessions, 10 prenatal and 10 postpartum.

We are looking for someone who:

· Is a critical thinker – resourceful and creative with problem-solving.

· Exhibits efficient organizational skills.

· Has exceptional communication skills, both verbally and written.

· Is responsive and professional in working with challenging patients, work situations, and systems.

· Exhibits empathy and cultural competence.

· Can be flexible in a fast-paced environment – able to manage their time and prioritize tasks.

What you will typically be responsible for:

· Interview families and clients/participants with intensive care management, to arrive at a comprehensive assessment of needs.

· Interagency coordination and collaboration.

· Attending and actively participating in interdisciplinary rounds or team meetings, to review client needs and plans.

· Reviewing and maintaining chart documentation that is timely, clear, relevant, and thorough.

· Offering consultation and recommendation regarding patient care and discharge planning to medical and ancillary teams.

· Communicating and providing outreach to clients with increased psychosocial needs, e.g., crisis intervention, addressing basic needs (food, housing).

A few reasons why you might love this job:

· The work is rewarding and interesting, with ongoing learning opportunities.

· Ability to work independently, as well as with a team.

· Great staff with a culture of supporting one another in a collaborative way.

· Ample opportunities for creative problem-solving.

· You will have job stability and opportunities for career growth within the County.

· The County offers fantastic and competitive health benefits, paid vacation/sick/personal leave, and a great retirement plan! Check them out here: Employee Benefits | Contra Costa County, CA Official Website

· Do you have student loans? Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is the most common way people apply to have their student loans forgiven. The County is a qualified employer!

A few challenges you might face in this job:

· Intense cases with diverse needs.

· Maintaining self-care when working with overly stressed clients and families.

· May encounter intense emotional reactions to medical, psychiatric, or psychosocial factors, requiring the ability to stay calm under pressure.

· Fast-paced environment with competing demands, requiring frequent re-prioritizing.

Competencies Required:

· Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products

· Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability

· Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information

· Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job

· Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires

· Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question

· Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability

· Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity

· Writing: Communicating effectively in writing

· Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information

· Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations

· Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner

· Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations, including diverse backgrounds and cultures

· Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes

· Leading Cross-Divisional Collaboration: Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions and teams

· Negotiating: Reaching mutually satisfying agreements and compromise

To read the complete job description, please visit our website at Contra Costa County, CA Official Website | Official Website.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future openings for up to six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

**PLEASE BE SURE TO ATTACH PROOF OF YOUR EDUCATION TO YOUR APPLICATION.**

Education: Possession of a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a closely related behavioral science field.

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time experience providing counseling and/or social work services to medical patients.

Substitution for Education and Experience: Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a closely related behavioral science field and either: a) two years of full-time or its equivalent experience as a Medical Social Worker I in Contra Costa County; or b) three years of full-time or its equivalent experience providing counseling and/or social work services to medical patients.

Substitution for Academic Major: One (1) additional year of qualifying experience of the type noted above may be substituted for the required major.

Desirable Qualifications:

· Knowledge of multisystem resources (Regional Center of the East Bay, School District, Behavioral Health, IHSS and so forth)

· Knowledge of conservatorship, guardianship and other court documents

· Post-Master’s experience of at least one year working with medical patients

· Experience working with mental health and substance use disorders (including knowledge of commonly associated behaviors)

· Knowledge of the health care industry and insurance, such as Medicare and Medi-Cal

Contact Information