SUMMARY: Plans, organizes, and implements social work services for patients and families.

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION:

1. Interview and assess patients and family members to obtain information about home environment, family relationships, health history, and patient's personality traits.
2. Evaluates data gathered in terms of the medical plan of treatment, available community resources, and creates a plan that will provide each patient with maximum benefit.
3. Demonstrates competency to develop helping relationships with patients and their family members.
4. Demonstrates the knowledge of and sensitivity to a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
5. Demonstrates awareness of personal and professional limitations as well as the limitations of the institution and makes referrals accordingly.
6. Assists patients and families to understand and follow medical recommendations.
7. Utilizes resources to help patient resume life in the community following discharge.
8. Communicates effectively with co-workers, medical staff and other departments for continuity of patient care, using verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills.
9. Participates in planning conferences.
10. Demonstrates an ability to set priorities in directing appropriate patient care, functions in an organized and time conscious manner and maintains complete accountability for actions taken.
11. Assist in developing discharge and post hospital care plans.
12. Collaborates with other hospital programs and community agencies with which patients and families are involved.
13. Prepares and maintains required documentation on each case.
14. Provides quality counseling and support to patients and families experiencing the crisis of injury and/or death.
15. Participates, as directed, in the Quality Improvement program of the Social Services Department.
16. Enhances professional growth and development through participation in education programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
17. Provides comprehensive social work and discharge planning services to patients, as referred to the Social Service Department.
18. Attends meetings and performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
19. Actively supports and promotes adherence to the policies and procedures of the Hospital and Social Services as outlined in policy and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work required; MSW preferred, LMSW, or LCSW

CREDENTIALS: As above.

SPECIAL:

PATIENT CONTACT: Must have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to patients and individuals of all ages and varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds on a daily basis.

PHYSICAL:

STANDING: Moderate daily.

WALKING: Multiple times daily in all areas of the hospital and weekly about the community.

LIFTING: Not required.

VISUAL: Multiple times daily to read charts and documents, assist visually impaired individuals and research resource materials.

HEARING: Multiple times daily to speak with patients and professionals, in person and by phone, and to assist hearing impaired individuals.

SPEAKING: Required at all times by phone and in person to communicate with professionals and patients who may be hearing, sight, and speech impaired.