Social Worker

Social Worker

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution. Degree will be verified.
• Current State Licensure as LCSW or LMFT.
• Computer Skills, i.e., email, word processing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assesses the patient’s medical history, mental health history, and current presentation to understand the patient’s needs from treatment.
• Organizes and prioritizes daily work by assessing new, current, and discharging patient needs in area(s) of responsibility.
• Diagnoses and treats various mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
• Performs social work consultation for patients and caregivers. Conducts psychosocial assessments. Provides supportive, crisis bereavement and other social work interventions as necessary.
• Develops a plan of care either individually or with input from the patient, patient family and significant others, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Modifies care plans to reflect changes in patient status.
• Refers patients to other services to improve their well-being. These referrals may include community services, treatment programs, support groups, psychiatrists, or other mental health providers.
• Educates, communicates, and coordinates with multiple patient care teams and outside agencies as necessary to ensure the patient receives quality care, a timely discharge, and to identify and resolve delays and issues. Credentialing through medical staff office and peer review requirements may apply if working in the behavioral health setting.
• May provide support and debriefing, in conjunction with the Employee Assistance Program, for staff members following adverse events.
• Acts as an advocate on behalf of patients and families, where appropriate, to ensure effective communication with multidisciplinary care team, outside agencies and other resources as necessary.
• Works with the multi-disciplinary team to develop a discharge plan in order to provide further care, services, and referrals in order to ensure continuity of care.
• Completes timely and accurate documentation in the medical record using knowledge of documentation standards for the department to facilitate communication with team members. Documentation is done in compliance with all clinical guidelines and billing/reimbursement standards.
• Complies with federal, state, local, and clinical program/facility standards.
• Acts within the scope of the Mental Health Practice Act.
• May identify patients at risk for potential avoidable delays, extended stay, readmission, financial or complex discharge needs. Coordinate with care providers and leaders to reach optimal solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with patients, families, and treatment teams.