Performs screenings, intake assessments and consultations for evaluation of individual and family dynamics and treatment needs, including admissions and referrals for services.

Provides ongoing social work intervention and education to patients, families and significant others for health-related psychosocial problems, based on goals agreed to by patient, family, significant others and health care team.

Utilizes individual, family, group work and crisis intervention methods to identify and intervene in problems that influence participation in treatment and discharge planning.

Completes a comprehensive psychosocial history on a timely basis.

Provides direct treatment services to patients within the hospital utilizing appropriate modalities including individual, family, and group counseling, and crisis intervention with a knowledge of patient growth and development appropriate to the age of the patients served.

Provides case management services for assigned caseload to ensure treatment plan is being followed and to aid patients in obtaining supportive services and resources.

Interprets nature of illness and prescribed course of treatment to patients and families; communicates family issues to other staff members.

Other Job Duties

Works cooperatively with unit staff to ensure coverage for social work services for patients in the absence of staff members.

Participates in studies, surveys, or research, initiated or approved by the Department of Social Work, in order to develop knowledge about effective treatment, or improve quality of delivery of service.

Provides translation services for patient/family interviews as needed and able.

Identifies problems and obstacles affecting delivery of services to patients (e.g., discharge planning problems) and brings them to the attention of supervisor.

Participates in departmental meetings and committees as required.

Enhances professional growth and development through participation in education programs, current literature review, conferences, and workshops.

Must maintain current levels of licensing, education, and skills as required for position and discipline.

May be required to rotate on evening and night call for the program.

Provides transportation services for patients, as needed.

Works in conjunction with community agency staff to provide either on site or in-home crisis intervention services, when necessary.

Performs other related duties as required.

Education:

Masters Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.

Position Qualifiicaitons

One to two years prior experience required in psychiatric social work or comparable experience/setting/population, depending on area assigned.

Three to five years experience preferred.

Licensure:

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) license preferred and must be obtained within one year from date of hire.

Demonstrated ability to work with psychiatrically impaired population or those with addictions, as appropriate.

Good oral and written communication skills.

Good interpersonal skills.

Knowledge of a second language preferred.

Speaks, reads and writes English to the extent required by the position.

Job Setting/Physical Demands

Contact with patients in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, Emergency Room, offsite settings (e.g., patient home).

Contact with families, significant others, visitors, staff.

Frequent prolonged standing/walking.

May be required to make home visits.

Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

Acts as liaison to health care team in understanding family dynamics, facilitating timely and proactive discharges to home or another facility.

Acts as advocate for the patient with other Medical Center programs (e.g., Outpatient Department), and functions as liaison with other providers in the community, assisting in linkages for patients and families.

Makes presentations on various issues related to the field and on available Medical Center resources as part of community outreach to schools, agencies and other resources.

Participates in interdisciplinary diagnostic and treatment planning conferences, including case presentations, and makes recommendations regarding the needs of the patient from a social work perspective.

Fulfills all case recording, statistical reporting, and other documentation requirements on an accurate and timely basis.

Provides clinical supervision to paraprofessional staff and students as assigned.

Provides consultative services to Department of Psychiatry and Medical Center staff and to other community agencies in the field regarding social work issues and services to our patient population.

Assists in developing discharge and post-hospital care plans (e.g., suggests appropriate community resources).

Assessment, treatment and patient care responsibilities are delivered with a knowledge of patient growth and development and are appropriate to the ages of the patients served.

Customer Service: respect, flexibility, knowledge, confidence, professionalism, pleasant attitude, patience and helpfulness. All responses should be timely, professional, caring, and respectful in accordance with Customer Service Performance expectations

Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards. Assesses gaps in policies and procedures, and create necessary policies and procedures to fulfill these gaps.