Job Description The Social Worker is responsible for providing a full range of social work treatment modalities for individuals and families with appropriate regard for the complexities of the situation. The Social Worker collaborates with multidisciplinary team members and resources to advance the patient along the continuum of care and ensures effective communication with the patient, family, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal care. Responsibilities Counsels, assesses, and assists individuals of all ages and families who are affected by illnesses or injuries Assesses patient needs by collaborating with physicians to evaluate the physical and psychological condition Identifies and analyzes the social and emotional factors underlying illness and communicates these factors to the health team Determines appropriate intervention strategies and provides counseling Attends and participates in discharge planning which meets ongoing patient needs Prioritizes both volume and complexity (medical and social acuity) of caseload Assures compliance with legal aspects associated with abuse/neglect, adoption, advanced directives, and commitment, and conservatorship/guardianship Serves as an advocate for patients, providing access to available services Properly utilizes and develops formal, informal, and internal extended resource network Accurately explains resources available to meet the identified needs and allows the patient and family to participate in choices Refers patients to additional medical services as needed Provides access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, and housing Provides coordination of patient transitions along the continuum of care with appropriate follow-up to provide continuity Communicates health care needs with patient, family/caregiver, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal care Delegates and communicates patient care needs to appropriate team members based on skill, knowledge, and patient acuity Assures daily, accurate, and concise reporting and documentation of patient's condition and needs with appropriate follow-up Communicates health care needs with patient and family as appropriate for continuance of care

Qualifications Education:

Required :

Bachelor's degree in social work from a college or university accredited by Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or Southern Association of Colleges (SACS)

Preferred:

Master's degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Worker Education (CSWE) or a doctorate in social work (D.S.W. or Ph.D.)

Experience:

Required:

None Preferred:

One year in a healthcare setting where the individual is working as a supervised social worker who works directly with individuals

Skills:

Clinical assessment and critical thinking skills necessary to provide appropriate patient care