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Plans, organizes, and implements social work services to patients and families including plans for discharge, aftercare, and linkage to available community resources. Completes crisis assessments for Behavioral Health patients and arranges appropriate disposition. Effectively adjusts communication to the patient (legal guardian, and/or family) with consideration given to age, level of understanding, developmental stage and clinical status. Compatible with accepted social work practice and hospital policies and procedures. Is cognizant of cultural diversity in the implementation of social services practices with patients. Practices in accordance with designated standards and ethics set by respective professional association guidelines.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1. Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology or other related field.
2. Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within 30 days of date of hire.
3. Complete Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) course within 30 days of date of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1. Master’s degree preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
1. Two (2) years training and/or experience preferred.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Performs intake assessment/evaluation of clients, including personal, social, and emotional development, family dynamics, and where appropriate, biopsychosocial antecedents, influences, and effects associated with substance dependence.
2. Participates in multidisciplinary treatment planning, with attention to special treatment needs by reason of age, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin, social and cultural influences, and spiritual needs.
3. Appropriately assesses patients for discharge planning needs based on patient’s ability to make decisions, capabilities of caring for self and assisting with alternative arrangements for placement. Has knowledge of community resources and criteria for accessing. Demonstrates knowledge of process of Nursing Home Placement.
4. Patients are assessed for social and discharge planning needs as necessary, combining the appropriate communication with the department’s other licensed social workers and other health care professionals to provide the most suitable social work plan of care.
5. Petitions for guardianship/conservatorship for adults who lack DMC where there is no one willing or available to serve as HCS and the patient has no MPOA.
6. Interpretations of social, psychological, and emotional problems is shared with the department’s licensed social workers and other team members. Evaluations and recommendations are documented, as well as recommendations.
7. Assess patients for signs or symptoms of abuse utilizing age appropriate evaluation and coordinates appropriate referral and counseling. Knowledge of the laws regarding child abuse, neglect, adult abuse, neglect, domestic violence and rape.
8. When requested by the care managers or physicians, assess patients for psychosocial needs due to illness causing hospitalization based on age appropriateness.
9. Assists patients and families with end-of-life decision making, advance directives utilizing age appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and decision making capacity. Provides counseling on death and dying involving SIDS, fetal demise, sudden death and death of the terminally ill. Has knowledge of cultural and spiritual diversity.
10. Provides appropriate documentation of services provided by making concise entries in the medical record regarding the evaluation and plan of care.
11. Evaluates social, financial, psychological and family situations. Refers patient to sources of possible financial assistance where appropriate.
12. Discusses issues with patients such as advance directives, long-term care, informed consent, and basic patient rights. Assists patients in preparing advance directives.
13. Responds to psych social worker consults in appropriate amount of time as required by policy.
14. Petitions for involuntary commitment for patients within hospital who are deemed a danger to self or others and are refusing treatment.
15. Discusses patient and disposition with psychiatrist and treating medical physician. Documents disposition accordingly.
16. Creates patient Behavioral Health Treatment Plan based on patient's admitting psychiatric problems/diagnosis.
17. Follows hospital, state and federal guidelines for ensuring safe environment for workers, patients and public. Maintains and monitors staff compliance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures for safety, security, and infection control. Including privacy, patient confidentiality and HIPAA.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Ability to lift 40 pounds from floor to waist.
2. Ability to bend, stoop, reach and be capable of normal rotation, standing and walking for an 11-12 hour shift.
3. Ability to ambulate, position, turn and pull up self-assisting adult patients.
4. Must meet Department of Labor’s MEDIUM duty standard (MEDIUM WORK- exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly).

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. This position may require unsupervised access to restricted areas that may contain medications, supplies and Patient confidential information.
2. May be required to travel between facilities/buildings.
3. May be exposed to virus, disease, and infection from patients and specimens in working environment.
4. Work may be performed in acute hospital setting, the Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Unit, Home Care or other outpatient department.
5. Ability to wear latex or vinyl gloves, with frequent changes and hand washing. Able to tolerate working with and around noxious odors.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Demonstrates good organizational and time management skills to effectively balance patient treatment needs, documentation, and educational requirements.
2. Uses a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse.
3. Manages time effectively to maximize the volume of patients.
4. Demonstrates the ability to communicate verbally, in writing and electronically with healthcare personnel, families and patients.
5. Ability to answer telephones and transcribe messages in a friendly and courteous manner.

Additional Job Description:
Work Shift will be 12p-12:30a, alternating weekend days as needed

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
36
Shift:
Day (United States of America)
Exempt/Non-Exempt:
United States of America (Non-Exempt)
Company:
BMC Berkeley Medical Center
Cost Center:
315 BMC Neuro Behavioral Health Services
Address:
2500 Hospital Drive
Martinsburg
West Virginia

Job Type: Full-time