Social Worker

Job Purpose

• This position is responsible for planning and coordinating clinical services in accordance with organizational and regulatory guidelines for patients admitted on the Behavioral Health Unit. 

Responsibilities

•  Provides quality care including case management, education, and discharge planning to patients and families.
• Utilizes specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills in the areas of psychotherapy, clinical counseling, diagnostic interviews, assessments, and treatment plans to patients.
• Comprehensively assesses the patient’s psychosocial needs to include the development of treatment goals and discharge plans.
• Functions as the treatment team facilitator to accomplish patient outcomes identified on the treatment plan.
• Participates in discharge planning, arranges for follow-up care, and develops mechanisms for exchange of appropriate information with sources outside the hospital.
• Initiates Medicare pre-certifications and re-certifications on all patients requiring it.
• Facilitate a daily process group according to the unit program schedule.
• Serves as a resource person to healthcare professionals concerning psycho-social problems and community resources.
• Educates patient and families on signs and symptoms of illness to prevent re-hospitalization and improve disease management skills.
• Concisely document clinical findings and patient needs in the patient’s medical record.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties detailed above.

• Master’s degree in social work (MSW), required.
• Current licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, preferred, in state of operation.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a behavioral health setting.
• Two or more years of previous experience in all aspects of social service with an emphasis in psychiatric work.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Current CPR.
• Handle with Care (will be provided if not current).
• Proficient computer knowledge.

Working conditions

In clinical duties, will be exposed to communicable disease, blood, and body fluids. Exposure to injury from patients or equipment. Realizing there are unavoidable environmental hazards, the employee must assume responsibility for knowledge of protocols and policies relevant to these hazards. Utilized appropriate protective attire that will be provided in each area.

Physical requirements

Ability to handle heavy materials or patients. Physical demands greater than moderate may require knowledge of use of appropriate equipment. Frequent bending, lifting and pulling require proper use of good body mechanics. Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, staff physicians and visitors displaying a smile and maintaining a pleasant attitude. This job includes close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Also, the ability to communicate by phone is important.

Direct reports

This position has no direct reports.