Clinical Social Worker

Class Specifications – H.65

Clinical Social Worker Per Diem- 9310
Clinical Social Worker III – 9313
Clinical Social Worker II – 9314
Clinical Social Worker I – 9315

May, 1979

Series Concept

Clinical Social Workers utilize a professional knowledge of the principles and practices of social work to counsel individuals, couples, families, and groups to help them make optimal use of health care, social, counseling, or psychological services; to provide, within their recognized professional scope, psychotherapeutic services to patients/clients (which may include functioning as primary psychotherapist; to develop and improve the resources available to enhance social and personal functioning; to provide teaching and consultative services to other professionals and health care students; and to perform other related duties as required.

The same professional concepts, principles and techniques are used by Clinical Social Workers regardless of the program in which they work, but the circumstances and details of assignments and the immediate occasions of service differ among the various University settings. Some representative assignments are as follows:

As members of a medical team in hospitals, field health stations, and clinics, Clinical Social Workers provide psychotherapeutic services to patients and relatives in individual, couple, or group settings to assist them in adjusting to the physical/psychological difficulties associated with illness; counsel patients and relatives on the psychosocial ramifications of illness which may include grief counseling; evaluate and provide consultation to the medical team on the social factors relating to illness, hospitalization, diagnosis and recommended treatment of patients; develop and aid in the use of community resources; act as the primary interface between the patient, hospital, and community; provide collaborative, educational and consultative services to lay groups and organizations; participate in program evaluation and in determining the need for new services; participate in or consult on research/education programs; assume the role of patient advocate; provide teaching, consultation and in-service training to residents, students, and other professional staff; and comply with various statutes concerning reporting and treatment responsibilities.

As members of multidisciplinary treatment teams at a community mental health clinic, psychiatric hospital, neuropsychiatric center or out-patient clinic or as staff members at a student counseling center or psychiatric clinic, Clinical Social Workers provide direct treatment in individual, couple, or group psychotherapy to a wide range of cases; in collaboration with a staff psychiatrist determine case disposition when psychiatric hospitalization and/or medication are needed; refer clients to appropriate community or private resources; evaluate and interpret the psychosocial aspects of mental and emotional disturbances to families and other health professionals within the facility; maintain clinical records; participate in program evaluation and in determining the needs for new services; provide consultation to and maintain liaison with campus/community programs; and provide teaching, supervision, consultation and in-service training to residents, students, and staff.

Positions in this series are distinguished from positions in the Social Work Associate series in that the majority of time is spent working with patients/clients with an emphasis on the acceptance or modification of behavior or attitude, rather than on the provision of supportive and tangible services such as temporary housing, medical appliances and filing for benefits.

Positions in this series that are predominantly psychotherapeutic in nature differ from positions in the Psychologist series in the latter’s use and interpretation of psychodiagnostic devices including psychological testing.

Above the journey-level class of Clinical Social Worker II, the series is subdivided into two categories: one consisting of three classes for administrative and technical supervisory positions and the other consisting of one class, Clinical Social Worker III, for positions requiring advanced technical expertise.

Class Concepts

Clinical Social Worker III

Under general supervision, and in addition to performing the full range of operational level duties, incumbents are assigned responsibility for administering a specialized social service program (such as, a suicide prevention or formal research project) where supervision is not a major responsibility; administer with considerable independence an unusually broad variety of therapies on the most difficult cases; or are the designated experts, consultants, or sources of knowledge for a major area of knowledge within the social work profession.

Clinical Social Worker II

Under supervision, incumbents perform the full range of social work duties. Clinical Social Workers formulate and implement psychosocial treatment based on a sound integration of theory and practice; engage in special projects, research, and consultation; and teach in an interdisciplinary setting.

This is the operational level in the series, the level of independent professional practice.

Clinical Social Worker I

Under close supervision, incumbents perform social work duties of lesser scope and complexity than found at the next higher level.

This is the entry level class in the series and incumbents are expected to advance to the full journeylevel class.

Minimum Qualifications

Clinical Social Worker III

A Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work, possession of a clinical social worker license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners, and three years of post-master’s experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Clinical Social Worker II

A Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and possession of the requirements necessary for application for licensure as a clinical social worker as determined by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Clinical Social Worker I

A Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.