Inpatient Social Worker

Summary Description:

Principle duties related to direct clinical services.  Responsible for addressing the psychosocial issues that arise in acute care, emergency department and/or other inpatient settings, through a range of focused Social Work interventions and practices. Services are provided upon referral by nursing staff/physicians, community contacts, or by patients or their families.  Services address those areas of psycho-social functioning that adversely affect or are affected by the patient’s medical condition, coping skills, and/or discharge status.  Interventions include direct counseling of patients and families regarding emotional, financial, environmental and safety issues as well as appropriate referrals and coordination with other community agencies. The role is designed to assist patients, families, physicians, and other members of the health care team to work through an identified problem to positively affect the continuity of care and optimal outcome of healthcare services in the inpatient setting.

Demonstrates knowledge about human behavior and theory; and about the psychosocial impact of disease on individuals and families as it relates to their age and stage of development. Coordinates input from all health care professionals, patients, and families to formulate a documented discharge plan assuring continuity of care on a daily basis. Additional responsibilities may include collaboration, and/or education, with other members of the health care team. Demonstrates clear written and verbal communication skills.  Supports the mission and philosophy of the department as well as the Operating and Service Standards of Baystate Health.     

Job Requirements:

1) Provides a comprehensive age-specific, psychosocial assessment of patients, including social, psychological, cultural, environmental and financial information, and utilizes this information to develop a psychosocial treatment plan.  Incorporates cultural and spiritual variables into the assessment.  Assesses the risk of abuse/neglect for children, disabled adults and/or elders as appropriate.  Files reports with appropriate agencies as needed.     

2) Ability to formulate treatment goals/plans with the patient and refer to other disciplines as needed. Supports patients' rights by treating the individual needs in the framework of their specific psychosocial, spiritual, developmental and cultural variables.     

3) Provides counseling services to patients and families.  Utilizes diverse counseling techniques to help patients and their families deal with their medical situations more effectively. Remains current in social work practice trends. Demonstrates strong social work skills.

4) Participates as part of the care management team using discharge planning knowledge and skills to ensure that appropriate post-hospital care plans are developed and implemented in a timely manner. Coordinates and documents transition of care plan toward the desired outcome, making recommendations and revision to the plan as indicated. Proactively evaluates the psychosocial and physical needs of the patient and family, insuring appropriate transition of care. Make referrals as needed to social service/community agencies or programs. Communicates and involves the health care team, patient and family throughout performance of this process.

5) Works with hospital attorneys regarding legal issues such as guardianship or commitment of those with alcohol or other substance use disorders.  Provides assessment of medical inpatients for possible discharge to a mental health unit.  Makes referrals as needed to mental health units or to outpatient mental health services as appropriate.  May obtain insurance approvals for these services (inpatient or outpatient) when required.  Provide DSM multiaxial assessment for such patients as needed.

6) Maintains all appropriate records and follows the department documentation policy. Demonstrates a clear understanding of Electronic Health Record documentation systems. Documents on-call interventions as indicated.

7) Adheres to the department Policies and Procedures.  Meets productivity standards. Contributes to Ql activities when indicated to improve areas within clinical practice, or systems issues affecting the delivery of service. Shares in weekend and other special coverage needs as required by the department.

8) Provides specialized knowledge to other healthcare professionals about psychosocial issues or resources by participating in teaching activities or providing information to colleagues (studen