Clinical Social Worker

Utilizing clinical social work techniques and theory, consults on, assesses, and intervenes with high-risk patients and their families regarding the impact/amelioration of emotional and social problems. Duties also include, but are not limited to, conducting psychosocial assessments, making a psychosocial diagnosis, planning and implementing effective treatments, evaluation, education, supervision, coaching and mentoring of the patient (client) and family members. The position consults with, collaborates and communicates with a wide range of social, governmental and legal agencies, courts, schools, clinics, other hospitals, physicians and other sources in the overall care of the patient.

Position: Clinical Social Worker

Department: Center for the Urban Child and Health Family

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Assesses patient and family to ascertain those emotional and social problems. Utilizes the department's psychosocial assessment tool as a guideline.

• Identifies those issues which must be addressed during the patient's care, and formulates plan.

• Reports any and all suspected cases of abuse and neglect and follows up to ensure patient receives timely comprehensive consultations and compliance with legal mandates.

• Identifies need to involve patient's family through the initial assessment process and attempts contact on same day, if indicated.

• Consults and collaborates with healthcare team members to insure that patient's emotional and social needs are addressed.

• Provides for psychotherapeutic treatment and/or psychosocial support to patient and family to reduce the impact of identified problems.

• Ensures that inpatient and family remain apprised, involved, supported and treated through prescribed clinical relationship through at least weekly contacts and whenever a change in care or plan requires more contact.

• Utilizes Social Work technique and theory to assist patient and family in coping with illness or social problem to achieve improved functioning and emotional state.

• Begins assessment for an inpatient within 24 hours of referral and completes within two interviews or within seven working days of referral. Begins assessment for an outpatient as soon as patient permits and completes within two interviews. Completes assessment for an Emergency Department patient within four hours of discharge.

• Maintains patient confidentiality according to hospital policy. Practices professional discretion when determining the inclusion of any patient information into medical record or department clinical record notes.

• Notes in medical record the exclusion of critical patient information and its availability.

• Documents each patient encounter in the medical record or the Department clinical record concurrently according to Department policies. Specifically, documents ongoing treatment work in the Department clinic records. Each recording shall include date, time, title and signature.

• Provides clinical supervision to other department personnel, as assigned.

• Complies with departmental, regulatory and professional requirements for documentation recording, and data collection.

• Submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames.

• Maintains competency in areas of responsibility to ensure quality care.

• Attends scheduled staff meetings and in-service education program offerings with punctuality and consistency.

• Obtains continuing education units necessary to maintain licensure.

• Assists management in the operation of a quality department by participating in department programs and complying with department policies and procedures.

• Supports graduate and undergraduate training programs by supervising MSW and BSW students (per assignment, when LICSW is obtained).

• Identifies weaknesses in operation and recommends improvements.

• Works diligently on department committees, per Director's appointments.

• Represents department throughout hospital and outside community regarding department's practice and field of social work.

• Regularly maintains work area and equipment in a neat and orderly manner; assists in the cleaning and organizing of department on own initiative and reports any malfunctioning equipment as observed by supervisor.

• Maintains a complete understanding of emergency procedures.

• Conforms to hospital standards of conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.

• Notifies supervisor when patients in age group not regularly served are present, and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.

• Works closely with a pool of pediatric and adolescent social workers to provide cross coverage and back up as needed.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Performs other duties as needed.

• Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the hospital's mission.

• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Requires Master's Degree from an accredited school of Social Work.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Requires a Massachusetts Licensed Certified Social Worker or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker upon start date.

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience working with infants and children with failure to thrive, preferred.

• Previous experience in hospital or healthcare setting preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of community resources and agencies that serve the children and families.

• Advanced interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with various healthcare professionals, to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families, and to supervise graduate students.

• Must be comfortable in a fast paced and dynamic work environment (sense of humor is valued).

• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of racial and ethnic populations. Bicultural/Bilingual competency a plus.

• Computer literacy with ability to use standard word processing, spreadsheet programs and e-mail (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Outlook) and web browsers.

• Requires knowledge of Social Work process and community resources and agencies relative to health, protective services, crisis intervention, disability, etc.

• Advanced interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with various healthcare professionals, to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families, and to supervise graduate students.

• Must be comfortable in a fast paced and dynamic work environment (sense of humor is valued).

• Excellent English language skills to summarize and communicate orally and in writing moderately complex information in varied formats to internal and external customers.

• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of racial and ethnic populations.

• Bicultural/Bilingual competency a plus.

• Computer literacy with ability to use standard word processing, spreadsheet programs and e-mail (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Outlook) and web browsers.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans