System Director of Social Work

About NYC Health + Hospitals

Empower Every New Yorker — Without Exception — to Live the Healthiest Life Possible

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the United States. We provide essential outpatient, inpatient and home-based services to more than one million New Yorkers every year across the city’s five boroughs. Our large health system consists of ambulatory centers, acute care centers, post-acute care/long-term care, rehabilitation programs, Home Care, and Correctional Health Services. Our diverse workforce is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Job Description

Under direction of the Co-Deputy Chief Medical Officer/System Chief of Behavioral Health, the Director of Social Work provides overall leadership in Social Work at NYC Health + Hospitals. They are responsible for the development and implementation of cross system strategic initiatives in various areas such as quality improvement, revenue generation, Social Work care delivery, programming, and training.

Works collaboratively with the Social Work Council to address the myriad of system-wide Social Work Workforce initiatives related to best practices, training/development, standard work and recruitment/retention.

General tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Lead corporate wide Social Work Staff recruitment and retention efforts.
• Lead corporate wide Social Work Staff wellness and recognition efforts.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on expansion and incorporation of Social Work shared governance.
• Works closely with the Director of the Mental Health Service Corp, to oversee this system - wide Social Work Training Program.
• Supervise Director of Peer Services for the system. Work closely with site, facility, and program - based Social Work Directors on scope of practice for peer counselors, youth peer advocates and family advocates, oversight and development of new peer related initiatives.
• Supervise BH Care Management lead and oversee BH care management initiatives and programs
• Leads and oversees the formulation and administration of training programs for Social Work professionals and students, and for in-service training for professional and non-professional personnel related to Social Work.
• Collaborate in the development of clinical staffing models, allowing Social Workers to function at the top of their license.
• Work closely with finance and revenue cycle management to maximize Social Work billable services and generate revenue.
• Provide matrix (dotted-line) supervision to site, facility- and program-based Social Work Directors to ensure alignment with the corporate and departmental strategic vision
• Collaborate with discipline leadership across the spectrum of care.
• Lead system wide Performance Improvement Initiatives that improve the constellation of biopsychosocial-spiritual services available to and promote health equity for patients, their families and their communities.
• Advises on Social Work challenges, participates in the planning of programs and in defining the Social Work role across services and programs.
• Oversees the coordination of Social Work programs and assures that Social Work programs within the system are related to objectives of the system and meet the requirements of emerging developments.
• Plans and initiates research studies and demonstration projects for strengthening, expanding or analyzing the Social Work role in health, behavioral health, medical services, and correctional health, and health equity by enlisting the cooperation and participation of individual hospitals in special studies, surveys and projects.
• Maintains relationships with professional societies in the field of Social Work in relation to development or maintenance of standards and in the evaluation of current and new social work approaches.
• In collaboration with the sites’ social work leads, evaluates the provision of Social Work care delivery to ensure that they meet the patient’s needs and maximize patient self-determination.
• Plans with graduate schools of Social Work for field placement units and their integration in the hospital programs, conferring with faculty on students, supervision, assignment and utilization of department records and materials.
• Collaborates with administrative, medical staff and professional staff directors in planning Social Work department participation, within the hospital system, and educational programs and in formulating policies and practices in accordance with the administrative systems of the Corporation.
• Coordinates the Social Work activities of the hospitals with functions of the Corporation and other city agencies, governmental agencies and community organizations.
• Acts as a consultant on complex cases within the system.
• Provides consultation to community agencies regarding the use of health care settings and activities relating to medical and behavioral health Social Work.
• Other relevant tasks as assigned and performs special assignments as directed.

Minimum Qualifications

1. A Baccalaureate Degree issued after a completion of a four-year course in an accredited college or university and a Masters Degree from an accredited school of social work, and certification by New York State Department of Education; and,

2. Ten (10) years of experience in social work activities of which three (3) are in a health setting and five (5) years in a supervisory, consultative and administrative capacity in a social work organization, health or medical care facility or organization adhering to acceptable standards. Knowledge of administration with administrative and managerial skills and abilities.

Department Preferences

• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a multidisciplinary team setting.
• Knowledge of systems, aftercare planning, and health equity

Knowledgeable in:

• Administration with administrative and managerial skills and abilities
• Social Work Scope of Practice
• Fundamentals of hospital organization, revenue cycle, and managed care
• Regulations and laws applicable to hospital operation
• Business and human resources administration principles

Please be advised that proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required prior to hire.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs