Geriatric Social Worker - MSW

UPMC Living at Home is seeking a full-time Geriatric Social Worker (MSW) to join our team. This position follows a Monday-Friday schedule from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm with one weekend per month required. This role is hybrid, combining office-based work with visiting clients in their homes 

The Geriatric Social Worker provides care coordination and resource planning for an assigned caseload of approximately 90 clients throughout the Pittsburgh area. This role works collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team to support older adults in accessing services and maintaining independence at home. 
Provide assessment, treatment, and resource coordination to clients and families. Facilitate resolution of problems related to environmental needs, interpersonal conflict, physical illness, and mental illness using a variety of treatment modalities, including individual, family, and group counseling, short-term therapy, crisis intervention, and bereavement counseling. Assist patients and their significant others in adjusting to episodes of acute and chronic illness; in coping with lifestyle changes precipitated by the illness/disability, and in addressing issues of terminality. Demonstrate expertise in clinical social work practice relative to geriatrics. Assist in the planning and further development of the program.

Responsibilities:
 

• Prior performance appraisal at the Solid, Strong, Good Performer or above level
• Under the supervision of the program Director, LCSW, conduct psychosocial assessments and reassessments on clients. Seek input from relatives and others to obtain data on personal, social, medical, environmental, and emotional history to delineate problems requiring social work interventions and to plan appropriate services.
• Participate in Quality Improvement studies as well as staff development activities to include yearly updates regarding fire, safety, disaster, Universal Precautions, trauma, and outcomes.
• Participate in department staff development program, UPMC-sponsored conferences and workshops, and professional in-service programs related to areas of direct clinical practice in order to maintain professional standards and social work licensure (for MSW, LSW position) and to develop advanced clinical expertise relative to various treatment modalities.
• Provide counseling services directed toward individual, family, bereavement, vocational, and/or financial problems; assist clients and families in understanding and carrying out medical recommendations.
• Provide consultation to UPMC staff and community agencies regarding the management of psychosocial issues related to illness, treatment, and disability.
• Evaluate client and family data, select appropriate social work methods, and implement treatment program in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team.
• Prepare and maintain individual patient and departmental records in the computer system promptly; compile statistical information; prepare correspondence.
• Provide a high level of clinical expertise, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to situations to achieve desired outcomes.
• Participate in research activities by assisting in the collection of data, interviewing or recruiting clients, or conducting specific therapies as part of a large project.
• Support and adhere to the systems and the department's policies and procedures, philosophy, and mission, applying service excellence attitudes and behaviors in the process of performing all job responsibilities.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary staff members in arranging for needed care in the home or in an alternate setting.
• Act as a mentor to social work students and/or serve as a field instructor to students and coworkers
• Serve as a liaison between clients and families and the community by identifying appropriate community resources and/or agencies, initiating contact with them, and assisting the client and/or family to accept new referrals.
• Maintain communication with the program registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, and care coordinator regarding clients.