Social Worker, Substance Use Disorder Specialist

In 1971, Yale University established Yale Health to provide health services to its facility, staff and students through a multidisciplinary health maintenance organization located on campus. Yale Health has approximately 49,000 members including students, staff, faculty and their families who come from every state in the country and almost every country in the world and is committed to an inclusive workplace.  We are celebrating over 50 years of service to the Yale community.

The role of Social Worker, Substance Use Disorder Specialist lies within the Yale Health, Mental Health Service Line and is a strategic leadership position responsible for overseeing, developing, and enhancing substance use treatment services for faculty, staff, students, and their dependents at the university. This role is integral to advancing the university’s commitment to holistic well-being and fostering a supportive, healthy campus environment. The role will guide clinical operations, implement evidence-based prevention and screening programs, and ensure high-quality, collaborative care for individuals affected by substance use disorders.

The Social Worker, Substance Use Disorder Specialist reports to the Associate Chief of Clinical Affairs. This position supervises clinical and administrative staff engaged in substance use treatment programs and works collaboratively with Internal Medicine clinicians, university administrators, and other campus health leaders.

Responsibilities

• Leadership of Substance Use Treatment Services for Yale Health
• Direct all aspects of substance use treatment, ensuring accessible, effective, and compassionate care for all eligible university populations.
• Responsible for direct patient care delivery
• Collaborative Care Delivery. Work closely with Internal Medicine clinicians who have expertise in substance use to develop and implement collaborative care models for treating patients with substance use disorders. Facilitate multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care.
• Prevention Program Development. Design, launch, and evaluate student-focused prevention initiatives in partnership with university administrators. Tailor programs to address emerging trends and specific campus needs, promoting education, early intervention, and risk reduction.
• Screening Program Implementation. Establish and oversee screening protocols to systematically identify adult and pediatric patients with substance use disorders. Ensure that screening tools and processes are evidence-based, confidential, and culturally responsive.
• Continuous Quality Improvement. Monitor program outcomes, collect and analyze data, and apply findings to improve service delivery, treatment effectiveness, and prevention efforts.
• Training and Education.  Develop and provide training for clinical staff, university personnel, and peer leaders on best practices in substance use identification, intervention, and referral.
• Policy Development and Compliance.  Collaborate with university leadership to develop and update policies related to substance use treatment and prevention in alignment with legal, regulatory, and accreditation standards.

Collaboration

• Internal Medicine Clinicians.  Partners with clinicians possessing substance use expertise to optimize patient outcomes through integrated, team-based care.
• University Administrators.  Engage in ongoing dialogue and joint initiatives to enhance prevention efforts and foster a university-wide culture of wellness.
• Campus and Community Stakeholders.  Build and maintain relationships with campus departments, community providers, and advocacy groups to support comprehensive substance use services and resources.

Schedule/Shift: Full-time, 37.50 hours/week; weekdays 8:30 - 5:00 flexible schedule. Early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays/recess periods may also be required. Participates in on-call rotation.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Minimum of 3 years of progressive clinical experience in substance use treatment. preferably within a university, healthcare, or behavioral health setting.
2. Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex programs, and inspire staff toward excellence.
3. Deep knowledge of evidence-based substance use treatment approaches and the unique needs of adult and student populations.
4. Proven skills in program development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.
5. Strong interpersonal and communication skills to foster effective partnerships across clinical, administrative, and academic domains.
6. Capacity to utilize data for decision-making, program evaluation, and outcome measurement.
7. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery and program design.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Plans, coordinates and implements individual, group, and couples’ therapy for students in University outpatient clinic.
2. Conducts patient evaluations and assesses patients’ acceptability for psychotherapy programs and develops initial disposition planning.
3. Establishes positive relationships with patients in order to administer the appropriate treatment.
4. Manages and provides therapy for complex cases involving patients with significant mental health concerns.
5. Provides mental health outreach to Yale community.
6. Develops materials for educational programs and seminars for professional staff.
7. Provides family meetings as appropriate.
8. Maintains patients’ charts and reports.
9. Participates in mental health 24-hour emergency coverage.
10. Provides educational and consultation services to undergraduate residential colleges and professional schools.
11. Interacts with internal contacts such as patients, patients’ families, clinicians, medical staff, and administrators regarding treatment of individual patients and implementation of clinical programs.
12. Interacts with external contacts such as clinicians in private practice, mental health institutions, university deans, hospital psychiatrists and clinicians and hospital administrators.
13. Provides clinical supervision to trainees as well as staff members.
14. Performs administrative duties as directed by the Chief of Mental health and Counseling.
15. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience
Master’s Degree in Social Work and three years providing clinical care post licensure.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)
State of Connecticut Clinical Social Worker License or Connecticut Clinical Social Worker license eligible.