University of New Mexico·Albuquerque, New Mexico
Provide social work intervention services and case management for families of premature or critically ill infants within a regional NICU. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to develop intervention plans and train junior social workers or interns.
Counselor/Social Worker Requisition ID req37243 Working Title Counselor/Social Worker Position Grade 13
The Developmental Care Program Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology Division is seeking a full-time social worker to join our team. The interdisciplinary Developmental Care team (occupational, physical, speech, family and infant massage therapists, family liaisons) is an integral component of the Neonatology Division. The Division and Program serve infants and families in a regional NICU, including transitions to home and statewide follow-up. The successful candidate will be one that has good communication skills, is well organized; detail oriented, and works well independently as well as part of a team. This candidate will also need to be flexible and adapt easily to unanticipated changes, be able to coordinate a high volume of multiple tasks, follow-up on projects, problem solve, and anticipate needs. This individual will also be responsible for interacting with a variety of medical professionals, community agencies, and other administrative support personnel. Other responsibilities include providing social work intervention services for families of premature and/or critically ill infants as part of an interdisciplinary team, case management, psychosocial evaluation/assessments, developing effective intervention plans in a high-intensity, clinical environment, and train lower level social workers, students, and/or interns, as appropriate to the individual position. Knowledge of infant mental health, community resources including resources for meeting basic needs, housing, and mental health services as well as collaborating with other hospital departments and outside organizations is required. The position does require weekend, evening hours and some holiday hours. See the Position Description for additional information.
Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check. May be subject to credentialing process; must maintain credentialed status, if applicable. Must maintain certification status. Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement. CPR and Basic First Aid Certificate may be a requirement for some positions in this classification.
Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, or directly related field; at least 6 months of directly related experience which may include internship and/or practicum. Certification/Licensure NM licensure as LPCC, LPC, LMHC, LMSW, LCSW, or equivalent level, OR licensed out of state and eligible for NM licensure. Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
Experience providing social work case management services Experience with crisis intervention and management Knowledge of early intervention Experience coordinating and managing child protective service referrals Bilingual (Spanish) Additional Requirements Campus Health Sciences Center (HSC) - Albuquerque, NM Department Neonatology Developmental Care (997O2) Employment Type Staff Staff Type Term - Full-Time Term End Date 06/30/2027 Status Exempt Pay Monthly: $4,277.87 - $6,009.47 Benefits Eligible This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information. ERB Statement As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid. Background Check Required Yes For Best Consideration Date 7/24/2026 Eligible for Hiring Incentive No Eligible for Remote Work No Eligible for Remote Work Statement Application Instructions Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application. A complete application will consist of current resume, cover letter and reference. Please describe in your cover letter how you meet the preferred qualifications for the position. Include three references in your resume. The references must be professional references, preferably supervisors. Finalists should be prepared to provide official educational transcripts if selected for hire. Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details. The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.
Requires a Master's degree in Counseling or Social Work and a valid NM licensure (LPCC, LPC, LMHC, LMSW, LCSW) or eligibility for such licensure. Minimum of 6 months of related experience is required, with a preference for those experienced in crisis intervention and early intervention.
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Market context
In New Mexico, behavioral-health roles are often competitive because employers look for clinicians with an active, unrestricted license and experience delivering evidence-based therapy in a HIPAA-compliant remote or hybrid setting. Flexible scheduling, professional development, and administrative support can make these openings more attractive, especially when billing and credentialing are handled for you. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your license status and home-office setup before applying.