Medical Social Worker I/II - Social Work Services IPU - Full-Time

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care.  Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year. 

Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as: 

• New Hire Premium: +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package: includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.

Position: Medical Social Worker I/II - Full Time

Compensation:

The estimated pay for this position is $33.8225 to $51.7484. The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Definition:

Under supervision, plans and implement medical social service delivery programs in clinical service areas; to perform responsible medical social work for patients at Kern Medical and for their families; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Medical Social Worker I is the first level of the Medical Social Worker series.  This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Medical Social Worker II primarily by the amount of direction and assistance they receive in their work.  Incumbents who meet the minimum qualification for Medical Service Worker II are eligible to be considered for promotion on a merit basis subject to recommendation of the Department Head and approval of the Director of Human Resources.

Essential Functions:

Dependent upon assignment: 

• Functions at a highly skilled level in such areas as counseling, medical social work, protective services, family services, community organization and research
• Interviews and counsels patients and relatives in order to determine appropriateness of services, to determine extent of social and emotional problems, and to plan for patient’s illness and related problems
• Evaluates problems and makes treatment plans; Provides casework and group work treatment for patients
• Interprets diagnosis and prognoses to patients and their families to insure best adjustment to hospitalization and/or medical condition

• Counsels patients on rehabilitation and employment programs
• Performs assessments and provides information for use in diagnosis and treatment

• Participates in research projects, mental health educational programs, treatment intervention and assist in discharge transition
• Observes effects of current policies and informs supervisor of gaps in the program
• Participates in conferences, meetings and committees
• Cooperates with other agencies to insure adequate resources to assist in the patient's maximum level of functioning and adjustment
• Evaluates patient’s community behavior and assists in determining need for further treatment

• Arranges for follow-up care
• Prepares case records, reports and correspondence

• Develops the cultural competency program in the internal medicine department

• Develops professional interviewing skills for residents of the internal medicine department
• Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of age.

Other Functions:

• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Employment Standards: 

Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Responder or Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Responder certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Responder certification and competency.      

Level I: 

OPTION 1: Requires a