Licensed Social Worker
$70,000 - $80,000 yearly
- The Metis Foundation
- Portsmouth, VA, United States
- Jan 21, 2026
Job Description
The Metis Foundation is seeking a *Licensed Social Worker *to support the Musculoskeletal Injury, Mental Health, and Treatment Seeking among Active-Duty Service Members on Temporary Limited Duty study by providing expert mental health assessments and safety monitoring. The LSW will serve as the licensed mental health professional responsible for administering clinical measurements, evaluating participant responses, and conducting real-time safety assessments, particularly in response to indicators of suicidal ideation or other elevated mental health risks.
This role is critical to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of study participants and will work closely with the research and clinical teams to provide timely interventions and referrals when needed.
The Metis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) specifically organized to advance clinically relevant scientific research to the medical community, especially within the US Department of Defense (DoD). We provide scientific, educational, financial and project management support in the conduct of federally and industry-sponsored research, clinical trials, and education. The Metis Foundation provides scientific, technical and programmatic support services to the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia.
The Licensed Social Worker will serve as the Licensed Mental Health professional needed to support the study. His/her responsibilities involve the administration of measurements to participants, review of collected measurement, and further assessments for safety if the participant endorses suicidal ideation or any other measurement thresholds. He/she will need to perform real-time assessments on participants to determine if they require immediate intervention/resources, if they have therapy oversight, and/or require emergent/urgent treatment/care (e.g. escort to the Emergency Department). They will work under the PI’s supervision to carry out tasks for the proposed study aims.
This position will have duties at NMRTC Portsmouth and the candidate may be required to obtain a Secret Clearance as well as undergo Credentialing before beginning work.
To attain and maintain credentialing at NMCP the Licensed Social Worker will also be required to carry a small panel of non-research participant patients within the mental health clinic
*Key Responsibilities*
* The Licensed Social Worker will be primary responsible administering clinical measurements, evaluating participant responses, and conducting real-time safety assessments, secondary responsibilities will include aiding in the recruitment of prospective research participants, informed consent, and other research related administrative tasks.
* Administer standardized mental health assessments and measurements to study participants.
* Review participant responses to identify clinical thresholds that may indicate safety concerns or the need for further evaluation.
* Conduct immediate, real-time mental health assessments, especially when participants endorse suicidal ideation or other high-risk indicators.
* Determine appropriate next steps for participant care, including:
* Immediate intervention and/or resource referral.
* Coordination with participant’s existing mental health providers.
* Escalation to urgent/emergent care (e.g., emergency department referral or escort).
* Document assessments and clinical decisions accurately and in accordance with study protocols and ethical guidelines.
* Collaborate with the research team, including investigators and coordinators, to ensure mental health protocols are followed.
* Attend regular team meetings and provide clinical input as needed.
* The Licensed Social Worker may also be tasked to engage from time to time on other projects in the department to gain the research experience needed and support the team.
*Qualifications Required:*
* Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
* Active and unrestricted state license to practice as a Licensed Social Worker ( LCSW).
* Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience in mental health or crisis intervention.
* Demonstrated experience conducting suicide risk assessments and managing behavioral health crises.
* Strong clinical judgment and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
*Preferred Qualifications:*
* Experience working in research or clinical trial settings.
* Knowledge of and experience with standardized mental health assessments (e.g., PHQ-9, Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale).
* Familiarity with research ethics, HIPAA, and IRB compliance.
*Physical Capabilities: *Long periods of sitting, carrying light items.
*Work Environment: *On-site
*Metis Foundation is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.*
_Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Director of Human Resources._
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* 401(k)
* Dental insurance
* Employee assistance program
* Health insurance
* Health savings account
* Paid time off
* Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
This role is critical to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of study participants and will work closely with the research and clinical teams to provide timely interventions and referrals when needed.
The Metis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) specifically organized to advance clinically relevant scientific research to the medical community, especially within the US Department of Defense (DoD). We provide scientific, educational, financial and project management support in the conduct of federally and industry-sponsored research, clinical trials, and education. The Metis Foundation provides scientific, technical and programmatic support services to the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia.
The Licensed Social Worker will serve as the Licensed Mental Health professional needed to support the study. His/her responsibilities involve the administration of measurements to participants, review of collected measurement, and further assessments for safety if the participant endorses suicidal ideation or any other measurement thresholds. He/she will need to perform real-time assessments on participants to determine if they require immediate intervention/resources, if they have therapy oversight, and/or require emergent/urgent treatment/care (e.g. escort to the Emergency Department). They will work under the PI’s supervision to carry out tasks for the proposed study aims.
This position will have duties at NMRTC Portsmouth and the candidate may be required to obtain a Secret Clearance as well as undergo Credentialing before beginning work.
To attain and maintain credentialing at NMCP the Licensed Social Worker will also be required to carry a small panel of non-research participant patients within the mental health clinic
*Key Responsibilities*
* The Licensed Social Worker will be primary responsible administering clinical measurements, evaluating participant responses, and conducting real-time safety assessments, secondary responsibilities will include aiding in the recruitment of prospective research participants, informed consent, and other research related administrative tasks.
* Administer standardized mental health assessments and measurements to study participants.
* Review participant responses to identify clinical thresholds that may indicate safety concerns or the need for further evaluation.
* Conduct immediate, real-time mental health assessments, especially when participants endorse suicidal ideation or other high-risk indicators.
* Determine appropriate next steps for participant care, including:
* Immediate intervention and/or resource referral.
* Coordination with participant’s existing mental health providers.
* Escalation to urgent/emergent care (e.g., emergency department referral or escort).
* Document assessments and clinical decisions accurately and in accordance with study protocols and ethical guidelines.
* Collaborate with the research team, including investigators and coordinators, to ensure mental health protocols are followed.
* Attend regular team meetings and provide clinical input as needed.
* The Licensed Social Worker may also be tasked to engage from time to time on other projects in the department to gain the research experience needed and support the team.
*Qualifications Required:*
* Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
* Active and unrestricted state license to practice as a Licensed Social Worker ( LCSW).
* Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience in mental health or crisis intervention.
* Demonstrated experience conducting suicide risk assessments and managing behavioral health crises.
* Strong clinical judgment and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
*Preferred Qualifications:*
* Experience working in research or clinical trial settings.
* Knowledge of and experience with standardized mental health assessments (e.g., PHQ-9, Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale).
* Familiarity with research ethics, HIPAA, and IRB compliance.
*Physical Capabilities: *Long periods of sitting, carrying light items.
*Work Environment: *On-site
*Metis Foundation is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.*
_Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Director of Human Resources._
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* 401(k)
* Dental insurance
* Employee assistance program
* Health insurance
* Health savings account
* Paid time off
* Vision insurance
Work Location: In person