Medical Social Worker (MSW)

POSITION SUMMARY

 

The Medical Social Worker (MSW) attends to the psychosocial aspects of patient care. This position requires the ability to use assessment tools and intervene appropriately in patient/family relationships, financial needs, emotional and social problems. Provides support for the medical staff in working with patients with acute psychiatric concerns. Establishes and maintains relationships with community resources. Requires thorough knowledge of and a high skill level in psychotherapeutic interventions and the utilization of community resources. By working as a team with Case Managers, coordinates and facilitates discharge planning as needed.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Performed majority of the time:

• Reviews patients’ charts and rounds with appropriate interdisciplinary team members daily to ensure patient’s psychosocial needs are met and assess variables that impact health and functioning, and timely discharge of patients from the acute care setting.
• Provides information to patients and families on Advanced Directives, Power of Attorney, and Guardianship when requested.
• Responds to outpatient and community questions and referrals.
• Collects data for identified focus studies.
• Assesses variables that impact health and functioning, interprets clinical information and assesses implications for treatment.
• Presents information on aspects of social services and role of MSW.
• Completes “high risk” assessments as set by established criteria, to determine the need for case management and discharge planning intervention within one (1) day of consultation request.
• Assesses suicidal/homicidal ideation and makes appropriate referrals.
• Develops behavioral management plans for psychiatric patients who present with challenging behaviors during hospitalization that address physical, psychosocial, age, cultural, financial and educational needs and documents activities.
• Participates in daily Behavioral Health Rounds with members of the Psychiatric and Behavioral Health team.
• Refers patients and/or families to community agencies and resources i.e. Medicaid, food stamps and low energy assistance. Continues development of community partnerships and community relationships in order to better serve those in need.
• Provides appropriate social work services for terminal care including supportive counseling, and referrals to community resources providing follow-up bereavement services to families.
• Facilitates appropriate placement for patients with behavioral/mental health needs.
• Facilitates discharge planning for the continuum of care for patients with acute or persistent psychiatric needs.
• Assesses for possible child, elderly or domestic abuse. Performs appropriate reporting and/or makes appropriate referrals.
• Performs psych/social assessment and makes treatment recommendations and referrals i.e. substance abuse treatment and depression counseling and support groups.
• Provides resource referrals for individuals with financial concerns.
• Assists with complicated discharge planning when necessary.
• Assists mothers/fathers considering or planning relinquishment of baby for adoption.
• Assists with Hospice and Home Health referrals when appropriate.
• Coordinates referrals for county, state and federal agencies.
• Provide support in cases of fetal demise.
• Provides support referral to patients currently being affected by devastating diagnosis, i.e. cancer.
• Works with community resources available.
• Interviews clients and/or their families to prepare the necessary psychosocial assessments.
• Works with Patient Advocate to advocate for patient needs.
• Provides appropriate follow-up assessments.
• Relays pertinent information to the Case Management Manager to represent Case Management with internal medical or quality committees, inpatient nursing staff, ancillary provider staff as appropriate.

 

Performed occasionally but critical to successful performance of the job:

• Provides resource information to the community when requested.
• Shares information from seminars and other sources of education with others as appropriate.
• Participates in care conferences for medically complex patients. Initiates care conferences for psychiatric patients when appropriate while managing interruptions.
• Attends scheduled department staff meetings, Utilization Review Committee Meetings, and Hospital Staff Meetings as appropriate.
• Develops and maintain collegial relationships with other professionals by attending continuing education and professional group sessions.
• Participates in continuing education opportunities.

Decision making and budget responsibilities:

• Impact limited to the employee and the patient.
• No budget responsibility.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

• Master’s Degree from an accredited school of social work or related field such as counseling.

Preferred

• N/A

Experience:

Required

• Experience working in highly confidential settings.

Preferred

• Two (2) years of social work experience in a health care setting.

Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations:

Required

• CSWA
  • For CSWA applicants awaiting approval for their temporary CSWA, they may be allowed to train in the position for the first four (4) weeks, and then must obtain their CSWA by the end of their first 12 weeks. Proof of CSWA application submission is also required upon hire for this scenario.
  • If hired into this position while still awaiting the temporary CSWA, new hire will be allowed to train as a clinician with Masters of Social Work, but must not present or represent themselves or the hospital as a Social Worker until they have obtained their temporary CSWA.
  • Staff are expected to pursue full licensure as LCSW with CSWA supervision requirements are completed.

Preferred

• LCSW

Job Related Skills, Abilities and Behaviors:

Required

• Knowledge of chronic, acute and terminal illness and physical disabilities and the impact on the individual and family systems.
• Knowledge of acute and chronic mental health/illness in adults, adolescents and children and the impact on patient’s and family systems.
• Adheres to National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
• Knowledge of community health and social service resources.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service skills.
• Experience in dealing with highly confidential information.
• Emulates THC dress code and Code of Conduct that incorporates presenting a good first and lasting impression by personal appearance and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced communication and interpersonal skills that utilize and considers body language, filters, listening, paraphrasing, and questions with customers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This also includes the skills to obtain and interpret information appropriate to patients' needs and age as required for assessment, range of treatment and patient care.
• Ability to write clear and legible clinical notes.
• Possesses excellent telephone skills and interpersonal communication abilities both verbal and written.
• Ability to develop complex case management care plans and solutions utilizing problem-solving skills.
• Familiar with computerized word processing, database and spreadsheet programs, and EMR systems.
• Ability to implement ideas and programs required.
• Self-directed and must be able to follow through on projects with attention to detail and implement ideas and programs with minimal supervision.
• Demands creativity, flexibility and the ability to work under stress.
• Uses PC skills to communicate.
• Applies and shares knowledge of community health and social service resources.
• Provides care appropriate to the age of patients served pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients based on principles of growth and development and life stages.
• Demonstrates confidentiality according to PHI regarding patient and co-worker information.
• Exhibits the ability to learn "just in time" and shares findings with others.
• Maintains a cooperative and harmonious relationship with staff and management.
• Demonstrates respect of others, communicates clearly and attempts to resolve interpersonal conflicts.

Preferred

• Bilingual skills a plus.

 

#Tier2

Additional Posting Information

Hillsboro Medical Center believes in providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals. Recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, working conditions, training, and compensation will be based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, creed, national origin, marital status, family relationship, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. We further commit ourselves to continuing the practical application of this policy in our daily business conduct.