Social Worker - Mental Health Unit
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
Employment Type: Per Diem
Shift/Schedule: Varied shifts
Department: Mental Health Unit
Salary Range: $30.32 – $49.79 hourly, based on experience and qualifications
About Saratoga Hospital
At Saratoga Hospital, we’ve built a reputation for high-quality, compassionate care and a commitment to the health and well-being of our community. As part of the Albany Med Health System, we combine advanced technology with a deeply personal approach—creating a supportive environment for patients, staff, and providers alike. We believe that exceptional care starts with exceptional people.
About the Role
We’re looking for a dedicated Social Worker to join our team and help us continue delivering the level of care our patients and families deserve. In this role, you’ll be a vital part of our clinical & administrative team, ensuring excellent service, collaboration, and patient outcomes in a fast-paced healthcare environment. The inpatient Social Worker provides essential clinical services to the inpatient psychiatric population served at Saratoga Hospital, Mental Health Unit.
What You’ll Do
- Assess: Social work admission interview completed on first encounter along with mandated screenings/assessments. Required assessments completed within 72hrs of patient admission. Develops the initial treatment plan at first encounter with patient and facilitates treatment plan reviews on an ongoing basis and addends plan as needed with input from patient and interdisciplinary team.
- Treatment Planning: Develops appropriate plan of care based on patient interaction, assessments, and collateral information. Documents plan development and patient progress efficiently in medical record. Effectively communicates with all members of the treatment team.
- Implementation: Facilitates individual Supportive Therapy and group therapy. Conducts family sessions as indicated, as well as involve supports in plan of care, when appropriate.
- Evaluation of Outcomes: Evaluates patient status on an ongoing basis making appropriate changes to the plan of care as needed to ensure successful outcomes.
- Professional Practice: Maintains professionalism in collaboration with patient, families, and treatment team. Practices within limits of experience and capabilities. Maintains active good-standing licensure. Adaptability in providing support to needed areas of the unit and other tasks as assigned.
- Critical Thinking: Employs critical thinking skills to problem solve and achieve patient desired outcomes. Analyzes data to support clinical decision making.
- Discharge Plans: Develops discharge plans tailored to the patient needs that include continued therapy and other social services. Presents discharge plan to the treatment team and revises plan according to suggestions; involves patient and identified supports in discharge planning and educates them about options and possible outcomes. Confers with referring agents and established providers in the patient’s life. Completes necessary discharge documentation for each patient in a thorough manner.
What You Bring
- Master's degree in social work required (LMSW) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Clinical Arts Therapist (LCAT). Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) preferred. Minimum of two -three years post graduate psychiatric experience is preferred. Current license in New York State is required. Experience with Crisis / De-escalation is required.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Commitment to providing patient-first, high-quality service
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
Why Saratoga Hospital
- A caring, community-focused culture rooted in teamwork and trust
- Supportive leadership that invests in your development and well-being
- Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, retirement plans, tuition assistance, and wellness programs. Click here to view our complete benefits guide.
- Opportunities to grow within the Albany Med Health System
- Located in beautiful Saratoga Springs, known for its vibrant community, outdoor recreation, and cultural attractions
Our Commitment
We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply. If you’re passionate about healthcare and community service—even if you don’t meet every qualification listed—we’d still love to hear from you.
How to Apply
Click the ‘apply’ button to submit your resume and complete our online application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis—apply today and discover what makes Saratoga Hospital a special place to grow your career.
