Trauma Team Navigator Social Work - Patient Care Coordination - Full Time/Days - Req#2097474188

Job Objective:

The Trauma Team Navigator, Social Work serves as an advanced, independent clinical professional responsible for leading psychosocial services across the trauma continuum of care. This position functions autonomously and exercises significant professional judgment in crisis response, psychosocial assessment, discharge planning, trauma program compliance, and coordination with internal and external partners. The coordinator contributes to trauma system performance improvement, regulatory readiness, and ensures comprehensive trauma-informed care for patients and families in high-acuity, emotionally complex scenarios.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Trauma Social Work & Crisis Intervention
• • Respond to trauma activations and complete timely psychosocial assessments.
  • Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, grief support, and trauma-informed counseling.
  • Identify SDOH risks including safety concerns, substance use, homelessness, financial instability, and caregiver strain.
  • Collaborate with law enforcement, CPS/APS, victim services, and EMS as appropriate.
• Care Coordination & Discharge Planning
• • Develop complex discharge plans tailored to trauma injuries and functional needs.
  • Coordinate connections to rehabilitation, behavioral health treatment, substance use services, and community resources.
  • Address barriers to discharge include placement challenges, insurance limits, and family conflict.
  • Lead or participate in trauma huddles, rounds, and multidisciplinary case conferences.
• Trauma Program Support
• • Ensure documentation meets ACS, Title 22, and county trauma system requirements.
  • Participate in trauma performance improvement activities and case reviews.
  • Track psychosocial and SDOH metrics for the trauma registry.
  • Provide staff education on trauma-informed care, mandated reporting, safety planning, and resource linkage.
• Post-Discharge Follow-Up
• • Conduct follow-up for high-risk trauma patients to monitor adherence, safety, and psychosocial stability.
  • Address gaps in care, referrals, transportation, or outpatient compliance.
• Data, Reporting & Performance Improvement
• • Analyze psychosocial trends, patterns of risk, discharge barriers, repeat utilization, and post-injury behavioral health impacts to support trauma PI initiatives.
  • Prepare and present data summaries, dashboards, and outcome reports to Trauma Medical Director, Trauma Program Manager, and hospital leadership.
  • Identify opportunities for system improvement based on data findings, including repeat trauma, interpersonal violence, substance use, and care coordination gaps.
  • Contribute to survey readiness and accreditation reporting through timely metrics, case reviews, and audit support.
  
  

Non-Essential Duties:

• Assist with other duties as assigned within scope of licensure and competency.
• Participate in hospital committees, workgroups, and training as requested.
• Support disaster response or surge capacity needs when appropriate.
• Provide coverage for other social work functions during absences or high-volume periods.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Trauma-informed care principles and crisis intervention models.

• ACS Trauma Center standards, Title 22 requirements, and trauma documentation elements.

• Psychosocial impacts of traumatic injuries, PTSD risk factors, and coping responses.

• Community, county, and state social service systems including CPS, APS, victim advocacy, insurance programs, rehabilitation pathways, and behavioral health resources.

• Medical terminology and interdisciplinary trauma workflows.

• California mandated reporting requirements.

Skills

• Strong clinical interviewing, assessment, and crisis stabilization skills.

• Ability to manage complex, high-acuity cases and rapidly shifting priorities.

• Skilled in conflict resolution, communication across disciplines, and facilitation of difficult conversations with families.

• Proficient written documentation for trauma registries, audits, and regulatory review.

• Ability to coordinate with law enforcement, EMS, and community partners professionally and effectively.

Abilities

• Work independently in a fast-paced, unpredictable trauma environment.

• Maintain composure and sound judgment during emotionally intense situations.

• Build rapid rapport with patients and families experiencing acute stress.

• Navigate systems barriers and advocate for patient safety and welfare.

• Collaborate effectively with surgeons, ED physicians, nursing, PT/OT, case management, and administrative leadership.

• Prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently under pressure.

AVMC Values: All AVMC employees will effectively demonstrate these values:

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone. Success is about the whole team.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.

Education and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in social work required

Experience

• 3 years hospital social work experience required

• ED or Trauma experience preferred.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• MSW or LCSW required.

AVMC Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

• Ability to adhere with AVMC Attendance and Punctuality Policy.

• Ability to adhere with AVMC Leaves of Absence Policy.

• Ability to adhere with AVMC Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy.

• Ability to adhere to the department dress code.

• Ability to organize work and establish priorities.

• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties.

• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards.

• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters.

• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff.

• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVMC.

• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information.

• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations.

• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties.

• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures.

• Conforms with required and appropriate accreditation and regulatory requirements.

• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines.

• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education.

• Display a willingness to work as a team player.

• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times.

• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVMC Board of Directors.

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its established policies.

• Ability to follow the Code of Conduct.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

Education and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in social work required

Experience

• 3 years hospital social work experience required

• ED or Trauma experience preferred.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

MSW or LCSW required