Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker Job Description

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Job Title

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker

Job Summary

The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker is responsible for providing comprehensive mental health and substance abuse services to individuals, families, and groups. This includes conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, facilitating therapy sessions, and connecting clients with appropriate community resources. The social worker will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to ensure holistic client care and advocate for client needs.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct thorough biopsychosocial assessments to identify client needs, strengths, and challenges related to mental health and substance abuse.

Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients, incorporating evidence-based practices and recovery-oriented goals.

Provide individual, group, and family therapy using modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing.

Facilitate psychoeducational groups on topics including relapse prevention, coping skills, and healthy relationships.

Coordinate care with psychiatrists, psychologists, medical doctors, and other healthcare professionals.

Refer clients to external community resources, including housing, employment, legal aid, and support groups.

Maintain accurate and timely client records in accordance with professional and organizational standards.

Participate in case conferences, clinical supervision, and ongoing professional development activities.

Advocate for clients' rights and access to services.

Respond to crisis situations and provide immediate support and intervention as needed.

Qualifications

Education: Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.

Licensure: Valid and current license as a Registered Social Worker (RSW) or equivalent professional licensure in the relevant jurisdiction (e.g., in South Africa, this would be registration with the SACSSP; in Nigeria, with the TRCN for community development).

Experience: Minimum of {{number}} years of clinical experience in mental health and substance abuse treatment settings.

Skills: Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, and treatment planning skills. Proficiency in various therapeutic modalities. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and crisis intervention skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Fluency in {{language}} (e.g., English, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Swahili) is required, and proficiency in additional local languages is highly desirable.

Reporting Relationship

The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker will report directly to the {{supervisor_title}} (e.g., Clinical Director, Program Manager).

Working Conditions

This position may involve working in various settings, including clinics, hospitals, community centers, or client homes. Evening and weekend work may be required to meet client needs or during crisis situations. Exposure to emotionally challenging situations and individuals in distress is common.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary for this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. Details will be discussed during the interview process.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume/CV and cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience to {{hiring_manager_email}} by {{application_deadline}}. Please include 'Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker Application' in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Equal Opportunity Employer

{{company_name}} is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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Date: {{date}}