LMSW Social Worker (BHEARD) Division
Work Shifts
Multiple Shifts Available
Wed to Sat: Queens and Brooklyn
Duties & Responsibilities
B-HEARD (Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division) is a New York City program that deploys interdisciplinary teams to respond to behavioral health emergencies through the 911 system. Teams operate seven days a week (including holidays). Social Workers operate across a range of shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and will be deployed across community, clinical, and field-based settings.
The Social Worker II provides frontline crisis response in the community, supporting people experiencing mental health crises, substance use challenges, suicidality, trauma, or acute stress. Core responsibilities include de-escalation, brief crisis interventions, comprehensive risk assessments, and rapid connection to appropriate services. This role requires excellent judgement, adaptability, and the ability to engage effectively in unpredictable and high-pressure environments.
Some of the physical activities performed in this position include working outdoors in all weather conditions, climbing stairs, treating individuals who may have infectious and communicable diseases, working for extended periods of the day or night in a vehicle, treating patients at heights such as rooftops, bridges or elevated highways, and carrying a mobile radio for communication purposes. Must be able to perform duties in a variety of indoor and outdoor work environments and community settings, including in ambulance-style vehicles, residences, healthcare facilities, shelters, public spaces, and other locations where services are provided. Ballistic vests are available. When in the field, administrative tasks such as telephone calls, virtual meetings and medical record documentation are typically done in a moving vehicle.
General tasks and responsibilities will include:
- Participate in ongoing training and supervision
- Conduct crisis evaluations, including risk and safety assessments
- Deliver crisis intervention, de-escalation and engagement strategies in the field
- Develop rapid, patient-centered disposition plans
- Access and leverage real-time health information
- Collaborate with natural supports and community resources
- Complete timely documentation that meets quality standards
Provide peer support and orient new Social Workers - Participate in team, borough, program, and departmental meetings
- Adhere to H+H, city, state, and federal standards and regulations
- Model person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice
- Demonstrate ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence)
- Perform other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
For Assignment to Level II
1. Valid license as an LMSW issued by the NYSED; or
2. Valid license as an LCSW issued by the NYSED.
Department Preferences
- At minimum, one-year experience working with people with serious mental illness (e.g. mobile crisis team, mobile treatment team, community-based health provider, hospital emergency room, inpatient psychiatric care) and three years’ experience preferred
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and other Requirements:
- Mental health evaluation/risk assessment
- Crisis intervention techniques
- Mental health and substance use
- Disposition planning
- Field-based service
- Motivational Interviewing
- Individual or familial lived experience in behavioral health is highly preferred
Benefits
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
- Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
- Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
- College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
- College Savings Program
- Union Benefits for eligible titles
- Multiple employee discounts programs
- Commuter Benefits Programs