Social Worker

Department Overview

The Transgender Health Program (THP) Social Worker is a member of a multi-disciplinary team that ensures affirming, high quality and trauma informed care is provided to transgender and gender non-conforming patients across the life span. This position has the primary responsibility for assessing, short term solution focused counseling, information/referral dissemination, crisis intervention, patient advocacy and associated services to patients, families, and involved parties/agencies. The efforts are directed at assisting the patient/family in all areas of medical care for transgender and gender diverse patients seeking at OHSU. These include patients accessing primary, specialty, and/or surgical care.

 

The THP Social Worker works closely with other THP staff members to deliver training/education/consultation throughout OHSU and within the community. The THP Social Worker may also assume responsibility of providing supervision to MSW interns. The THP Social Worker is a point of contact for patients of all ages accessing medical and surgical care with the THP. The THP Social Worker works in close coordination with the multi-disciplinary care team.

Function/Duties of Position

Psychosocial Assessment

• Conducts intakes and assessments on patients accessing gender affirming medical/surgical care at OHSU
• Conducts interviews with patients, patients' families, and other appropriate resources to gather information necessary in identifying/ evaluating the psychosocial, cultural, and financial conditions of patients and how best to support them in attaining their health goals; 
• Educates and supports patients in being prepared for surgery in terms of documentation requirements, after care plans, surgical pre-requisites, and ongoing support 
• Provides in-depth consultation to community professionals, agency staff, or other persons seeking guidance in meeting patient needs,
• May complete daily rounds and conduct chart reviews to determine patient needs units;
• Participate in treatment team meetings with various health care staff, 
• Serve as a resource for inpatients units caring for transgender patients.

Patient Services

• Assesses patient/family support needs, advocacy, and associated services and medical care;
• Refers patient/family to OHSU and outside resources for assistance (such as financial, transportation, insurance, housing, medicine, etc.) and
• Assists patient in gaining access to resources;
• Serves as advocate for the patient within the medical setting and the community,
• Maintains knowledge of community resources for patient care;
• Assist with navigation of insurance approvals, denials, and appeals providing education and advocacy when necessary
• Coordinate with multi-disciplinary team
• Provide accompaniment to patient appointments as needed
• Help patients access needed mental health letters of support for medical/surgical care
• Help patients secure needed supports for medical, procedural, or peri- operative care

Counseling

• Provides short- term counseling to patients and/or their families;
• Provides supportive counseling to reinforce patients' strengths and assist them in dealing with chronic/acute stress associated
• Help patient locate mental health and other resources in their community
• Works in close coordination with THP Psychologist on complex patient care
• Conduct patient education to provide information to patients on all gender affirming care treatment options, including surgery and what to anticipate on a social, emotional and physical level from pursing these options 
• May participate in emergency or on-call situations by providing crisis intervention services to patients 

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• A Master’s Social Work (MSW) required. 

• Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required for employees who practice clinical social work.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Knowledge of adult biopsychosocial issues affecting the transgender populations, including but not limited to substance abuse, poverty, health risks, and legal issues.
• Knowledge of Medicaid and commercial plans and benefits Knowledge of surgeries, what a prepared patient is and a supportive after care plan
• Proficient with Microsoft applications (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word). 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, ability to work in interdisciplinary team to meet the needs of an individual.
• Experience