University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Job Description Summary

The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is the oldest and one of the finest medical schools in the United States. Penn is rich in tradition and heritage and at the same time consistently at the forefront of new developments and innovations in medical education and research. Since its founding in 1765 the School has been a strong presence in the community and prides itself on educating the leaders of tomorrow in patient care, biomedical research, and medical education. http://www.med.upenn.edu/

Job Description

This fulltime position entails clinical work by the provider within the Behavioral Health Laboratory (BHL) to assist in the assessment, referral, coordination, and delivery of tele-health services for elderly primary care patients identified with a variety of emotional, cognitive, and psychiatric problems in the context of medical problems and/or other biopsychosocial stressors. The BHL is an evidence-based program that integrates mental health and primary care, and is designed to improve the outcomes of mental health care within primary care settings. The provider will be responsible for assessing and monitoring patients, providing education and brief psychotherapeutic interventions to both patients and their caregivers, facilitating use of community resources, and collaborating with other members of the BHL team to ensure meeting program goals. S/he will use structured diagnostic and clinical assessments to facilitate care and to communicate with primary care providers. The care delivered is structured based on a thorough working knowledge of the principles of Depression, Anxiety, and Pain Care Management as outlined in the appropriate BHL manual, and delivers same to participants. A significant focus is on brief problem solving or behavioral activation therapy. The provider will participate in determining the appropriate level of care that patients need and advises primary care providers, patients and their caregivers about the variety of clinical and psychosocial support options generally available to most state residents in their local community. The provider will develop and maintain a working knowledge of federal, state, and local resources for use in providing services to participants. Contact with patients and caregivers will be by written correspondence and telephone calls, including the provision of telephone caregiver support. This requires substantial communication skills, knowledge of the issues frequently encountered by caregivers of older adults with cognitive and/or mental health problems, and the ability to engage participants and foster alliances. We will provide a full training program.  Services are provided in the context of a team environment with cases presented to the Medical Director, and/or Supervising Clinician weekly or as required. The target population will be predominantly older adults from across the state of Pennsylvania, and the interventions will be largely telephone-based. This program has been established for ten years and is fully funded by the Department of Aging, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Qualifications

Combination of educational and work experience demonstrating competencies to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. MSW degree and two years of mental health, geriatric, and/or primary care experience are strongly preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. The position requires extensive familiarity with clinical settings, a variety of treatments for depression and anxiety; skill with computers, researching reference materials, organizing and maintaining records, and preparation of record summaries; excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to provide psychoeducation and counseling to patients and their caregivers, as well as to engage stakeholders in more formal, manualized care management for depression and anxiety, chronic pain, and dementia; and the ability to work and communicate with a variety of stakeholders, both within the BHL setting and within the statewide community. This position is contingent upon continued funding.          

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$42,953.00 - $77,315.00

Affirmative Action Statement 

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.