Social Work Specialist at Oregon Health & Science University – Portland, Oregon

Social Work Specialist

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-38493
Position Category: Hospital/Clinic Support
Job Type: AFSCME union represented
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Neurology
Posting Salary Range: $34.04 - $46.05 per hour with offer based on experience, education, and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday
Posting Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm
HR Mission: Healthcare
Drug Testable: Yes
LinkedIn Job Code: #LI-EC1

Department Overview

The Social Work Specialist works in partnership with the Medical Social Worker(s) to assist patients and their families to achieve maximum physical, social and emotional health. Provides resource/referral information about community resources including, but not limited to; rent and utility assistance, medical insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, medication assistance, access to care. Works with families to resolve transportation and lodging issues. The person in this position must be able to demonstrate very strong patient advocacy skills and follow patients through periods of intense multiple needs.

This position reports to the Director of Clinical Operations in the department of Neurology. This position is to support the outpatient clinical care programs within the Department of Neurology located at both the Center for Health and Healing at the South Waterfront and the Hatfield Research Center on Marquam Hill.

Function/Duties of Position

Patient Services –

• Screens patient/family psycho-social needs and determines current and anticipated patient care concern.
• Advocates for patients and families, screens for abuse, suicide or medical neglect and makes appropriate referrals.
• Screens patients’ and families’ ability to cope with major life changes; provides support to patients and families referring to Medical Social Worker as necessary.
• Provides family with information regarding patient care issues.
• Works with OHSU, patients and families regarding guardianship and conservatorship issues.
• facilitates in the coordination of follow up care in OHSU clinics or in the community.
• Participates in patient and family’s health care education
• Assists with housing and transportation needs as necessary
• Performs drug and alcohol screening and refers for appointment follow up.

Documentation

• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of patient care services, including charting, reports, and documentation.
• Submits patient care statistics in timely manner.

Information Systems

• Creates and assists in form development as needed.
• Utilizes data base access system for information relevant to patient’s care.

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• Two years of social service work experience providing supportive counseling to clients on a one-to-one basis which includes full responsibility for handling each case plan; AND

• A Bachelor’s degree, or three more years of experience which shows:

  • knowledge of casework methods and techniques;

  • knowledge of patient’s family’s rights;

  • knowledge of medical terminology; and

  • knowledge of implications of the effect of illness, injury and/or disability on patients and families.

Preferred Qualifications

• Health care experience preferred.
• Social work experience in a complex academic health setting.
• OHSU healthcare experience or healthcare experience in a patient centered care environment.
• Experience with Epic or other patient information software.

Additional Details

• Department of Neurology Clinical Operations Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30am – 5:30pm
• Department of Neurology Locations:
  • Center for Health & Health, Building 1, 8th Floor
  • Hatfield Research Center, 13th Floor

• Hybrid position, 10-20% of time remote, after completion of probationary period with the remainder on site primarily at the South Waterfront.

• Ability to alternate between various work sites, depending on the departmental needs. .

• Able to prioritize tasks.
• May be exposed to body fluids, tissue, and infectious processes.
• Able to multi-task with frequent interruptions and frequent changes and fluctuations.
• Able to sit for extended periods of time with extensive computer work.
• Able to utilize office equipment within work area, including computer, soft phone, smartphone.
• Comfortable working in a shared office environment.