This is a full-time position focused on screening and brief interventions with parents and caregivers of newborns seen in the Emergency Department and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The social worker provides assessment, intervention and follow up including psychoeducation on perinatal mental health and referrals to community-based resources. Work hours are variable and include day and evening shifts. Weekend shifts are possible. Previous experience in maternal mental health or maternal and child health preferred.

Fosters positive and professional interpersonal relationships with patients/families, physicians, hospital staff, community agency representatives and visitors. Provides comprehensive psychosocial assessment for identified patients and based on findings, facilitates interventions. Effectively uses interpersonal communication skills to resolve conflicts and promote healing environment.

Minimum Education
Master's Degree Social Work (Required)
Minimum Work Experience
1-year post-MSW experience as Social Worker or second year field placement in a complex medical setting (Required)
Required Skills/Knowledge
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to relate to divergent patient populations.
Sensitivity to individuals from varied backgrounds and cultures.
Must be licensed in the District of Columbia at minimum at the LGSW-level, be in the licensed applicant status as a new SW graduate with proof of pending DC licensure or licensed in another state with proof of DC licensure at any level.
Functional Accountabilities
Ensures Effective Patient/Family Plan is Developed, Implemented and Documented

• Facilitate interventions, based on assessment, family and staff requests, and timeframe.

• 2 Facilitate the child protection process of assessment, referral, plan, and implementation, if appropriate.

• 3 Provide follow-up services as appropriate and assesses outcome of interventions.

• 4 Document assessment and interventions in the patient's medical record, in accordance with departmental standards.

• 5 Provide comprehensive psychosocial assessment for identified patients and families.

• 6 Develop plan for intervention based on assessment.

• 7 Use range of communication skills to assist patients, families and staff to address care needs and complex issues.

Insures Effective Multidisciplinary Communication Established Surrounding Patient/Family

• Educate staff about psychosocial issues impacting treatment plans.

• Organize patient care conferences when complex issues arise.

• Participate in team meetings to address general and specific patient care issues.

• Facilitate the discharge planning process by working with Case Management staff, nursing staff, and physicians.

• Communicate with relevant hospital staff about patient care issues to ensure continuity of care.

• Advocate for patient and family needs within the hospital system.

Identifies, Utilizes, and Recommends Appropriate External Resources to Meet Patient/Family needs

• Research appropriate resources to assist families to care for their children at home.

• Share information with relevant agencies, respecting patient/family confidentiality.

• Maintain positive and effective referral relationships with community agencies and professional organizations.

• Advocate for patient/family needs within the community.

Removes Complex Barriers to Achieving Optimal Patient/Family Outcome

• Intervene in complex situations involving patient care needs, communication problems, or systems issues.

• Research appropriate solutions within the hospital or in the community.

• Mediate conflictual situations, collaborating with other staff as appropriate.

• Provide assistance to patients, families, and staff, while maintaining respect for boundaries and set appropriate limits.

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Organizational Accountabilities
Contributes to Furthering Professional Environment & Standards

• Meet with supervisor for regular supervision, prepare agenda and discuss areas of concern.

• Participate in Family Service meetings and clinic departmental staff meetings.

• Meet all departmental requirements for chart recording statistics, and other professional documentation and submits documents in a timely manner.

• Participate in departmental performance improvement activities

• Complete required continuing education courses to maintain license status.

• Practice in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics.

Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization

• Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity

• Maintain confidentiality at all times

Customer Service

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)
Organizational Commitment/Identification
Teamwork/Communication
Performance Improvement/Problem-solving
Cost Management/Financial Responsibility
Safety