Social Worker Principal/UKHC

Job Title
Social Worker Principal/UKHC

Requisition Number
RE54503

Working Title
ESH Social Worker Principal/UKHC

Department Name
H1100: ESH Psychosocial Services

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Grade Level
12

Salary Range
$62,400-111,634/year

Type of Position
Staff

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Required Education

MSW

Click here for more information about equivalencies:
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience

3 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Physical Requirements

Requires handling of light-weight objects up to 10 pounds, or some standing or walking.

Shift

Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm, other days/times as required by department

Job Summary

The Social Work Principal provides advanced clinical social work services to adult psychiatric inpatients, with a primary focus on substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. This position delivers direct patient care, including individual psychotherapy, therapeutic and psychoeducational group interventions, crisis intervention, and interdisciplinary treatment planning within an inpatient psychiatric setting.

The Social Work Principal functions in a float capacity across inpatient units and performs the full scope of advanced clinical social work practice, including assessment, treatment planning, discharge planning, care coordination, and complex clinical consultation. The role exercises a high degree of independent clinical judgment and contributes to clinical decision-making involving complex psychiatric, behavioral, and co-occurring disorder presentations.

The Social Work Principal serves as a subject matter expert in co-occurring disorders and supports implementation of evidence-based practices and hospital initiatives related to co-occurring capability, quality improvement, and reduction of avoidable readmissions. Responsibilities include development of clinically grounded programming, staff education and consultation, support of COMPASS-EZ-informed practices, and promotion of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care across inpatient services.

This position provides clinical supervision and guidance consistent with licensure and certification requirements and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and community partners to support continuity of care, staff development, and departmental programming objectives.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Masters Degree in Social Work is required. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Three years of experience is preferred. The employee shall become familiar with HIPAA regulations and do their utmost to protect all protected health information (PHI) and other personal or sensitive information within their trust in the course of state business by applying appropriate safeguards and sharing only the information required to deliver agency services. Any personal or sensitive information overheard or seen by the employee will be kept confidential by not sharing it with others, on or off the work-site grounds. Fully participate in all activities regarding the elimination of the use of seclusion and restraints in patient care including educational requirements, competency development activities, and meeting established performance goals and measures. Must have computer competency in approved systems. Must have excellent customer service skills.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No

Preferred Education/Experience

Three years of experience is preferred.

Deadline to Apply
05/28/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.