Senior Practice Associate, Clinical Healthcare and Mental Health
MAJOR FUNCTION
The Senior Practice Associate for Clinical Social Work provides professional expertise in specific practice and policy areas to guide social work practice, programs, and social policy through a synthesis of practice and policy information, advocacy, development of standards and policies, legislative and regulatory support, coalition and other external group representation and networking. Work is performed under the supervision of the Clinical Manager.
BASIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Systematically collects, analyzes, and disseminates practice information to social workers, policy-makers, organizations, and the public through written and oral communications. Conducts practice-related research and analysis to develop practice materials and position papers.
- Monitors the social work and broader mental healthcare environment to identify and communicate key developments to members and other stakeholders.
- Advocates for social workers in a variety of contexts for an appropriate practice environment.
- Provides technical expertise to NASW Chapters, members, other relevant divisions within the Association and external organizations
- Monitors and interprets legislative and regulatory developments related to social work practice and provides NASW's perspective on these developments to policy makers, major decision-making bodies, and NASW members.
- Works directly on projects related to the practice of clinical social work which include private practice, reimbursement (commercial and public payers), outcome measures, coding issues, technology, federal and state statutes and regulations, policy statements, practice standards, documentation, technology, quality reporting, and clinical issues.
- Provides input and recommendations to lawmakers, regulators, and external organizations in developing national policies for clinical social workers.
- Participates in the development of outcome measures for the social work profession, serving as an expert in this area.
- Develops practice standards, policy statements, practice updates and alerts and other communications as needed. Collaborates and coordinates activities with relevant departments to implement these products.
- Engages in professional outreach and response. Incorporates the acquired information into agenda setting and program design.
- Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned by the Clinical Manager.
MINIMUM WORK REQUIREMENTS
- Skills: Ability to analyze and interpret complex materials including legislative and regulatory proposals. Must have strong skills in the areas of oral and written communication, public speaking, research and assessment, and the ability to summarize information into clear, organized, factually sound, persuasive and objective written work products. Also, must be a team player, both within and across functional units, and possess strong organizational skills. Must also be a self-starter who takes initiative.
- Knowledge: Minimum of a Master's degree in Social Work required from an accredited school of social work and a clinical license. Computer literacy and knowledge of NASW's policies, procedures, and organizational structure required.
- Experience: Requires a minimum of five years of post-graduate, professional social work experience preferably in a clinical setting, including practice analysis. Working experience required with the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5), the International Classification of Diseases-10thEdition-Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), Current Procedural Terminology Codes (CPT), and Medicare's Quality Payment Program and other third party payers outcome measure programs. Familiarity with private practice, supervision, and the use of technology within social work practice.
ATTRIBUTES
- Results driven: He/she sees the big picture, assists with the development and monitoring of key performance metrics to produce the desired results.
- Partnership: This individual is able to build trust internally and externally and must be viewed as highly professional, discreet, and accountable.
- Organizational agility: He/she has a thoughtful, respectful communication style that fosters an open environment, enabling thought-provoking discussions and collaborative decision making.
- Perceptive: He/she is creative and intuitively recognizes opportunities and takes appropriate action.
This document describes general job duties and responsibilities. It is not a complete listing of job duties. Further clarification should be obtained from the supervisor listed above (e.g. Work plans, performance standards, task lists etc.). Incumbents may be required to perform tasks related to these duties. Major changes in job duties should be incorporated in this description.
NASW is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.