Medical Social Worker

Texas Children's Hospital; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Children’s Hospital seeks a Medical Social Worker to assist patients and families with psychosocial adaptations specific to medical diagnoses and to facilitate eligibility for social programs. You will assess, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate services with the care team to support discharge planning and optimal use of community resources.

The role requires a Master’s in Social Work and licensure (LMSW or LCSW) under TBHEC; you will screen for depression, coordinate resources, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work is required.
• LMSW or LCSW license under TBHEC is required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments to evaluate patient/family risk factors and reassess care plans.
• Screen for depression and suicidal ideation and refer to psychiatry or community resources as needed.
• Communicate recommendations to patient, family and interdisciplinary team for seamless care.
• Develop an action plan with patient, caregiver and team considering social, emotional, and environmental factors.
• Support end-of-life decisions and assist with complex family dynamics and discharge planning.
• Engage patients and families in problem solving and decision-making about healthcare.
• Evaluate community resources and coordinate referrals for psychosocial needs.
• Provide case management for continuity of care and ensure documentation is complete.

Education

Master's in Social Work

LMSW/LCSW license

Job description

We are searching for a Medical Social Worker, someone who works well in a fast-paced setting. In this position, you'll assist patients and their families or caregivers in making psychosocial adaptations specific to their medical diagnosis, while facilitating eligibility determination for social programs and funding resources. Apply optimal utilization of health care services and community resources in accordance with the principles of human growth and development. You'll assess, plan, implement, deliver, monitor and evaluate the options and services required to address a patient's individualized plan of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team to achieve discharge goals.

Think you've got what it takes?

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Conducts a psychosocial assessment, evaluating patient/family psychosocial risk factors and reassessing the patient's plan of care, adjusting goals and interventions as needed as evidenced by documentation in the medical record and/or team observation/feedback
• Screens for depression and suicidal ideation, completes a mental health assessment as needed and takes appropriate steps based on outcome including referral to psychiatry services, mental health facility, court order for involuntary commitment, safety plan or referral to community resources
• Communicates recommendations with the patient, family and team to support a collaborative family centered approach and ensures effective communication through patient handoffs with interdisciplinary team as evidenced by documentation in the medical record and/or team observation/feedback
• Develops an action plan with the patient, caregiver or family and team taking into consideration variables that impact the patient's plan of care including social, emotional, physical or environmental factors as evidenced by documentation in the medical record and/or team observation/feedback
• Supports patient/family or caregiver with resources related to end-of-life decision making and provides support for complex family dynamics, assessing for barriers to care and discharge and intervening to de-escalate non-productive behavior as evidenced by documentation in the medical record and/or team observation/feedback
• Engages and empowers patient/family or caregivers in problem solving anddecision-makingg regarding health care decisions as evidenced by documentation in the medical record and/or team observation/feedback
• Evaluates and selects appropriate community resources based on psychosocial assessment and supports referrals, independently assessing need for gap resources and making additional recommendations as evidenced by documentation in the medical record and/or team observation/feedback
• Provides case management for psychosocial continuity of care as evidenced by documentation in the medical record and/or team observation/feedback
• Completes maltreatment assessment and provides intervention in cases involving abuse or neglect and contacts protective services as appropriate and in accordance with state law as evidenced by documentation in the medical record and/or team observation/feedback
• Facilitates timely discharge by participating in team meetings, family meetings and unit rounds to address social, emotional, physical and environmental barriers as evidenced by attendance records and/or team observation/feedback
• Collaborates with care coordination and outpatient professionals to ensure patients and families receive necessary information, resources and continuity of care
• Provides transition services for patients with chronic conditions including education, resource identification, preparation for adult living skills and assistance with advance directives
• Utilizes quality improvement processes to identify opportunities for improvement, evaluate programs and measure outcomes as evidenced by leadership observation
• Participates in performance improvement initiatives and supports patient safety and satisfaction efforts as evidenced by leadership observation
• Pursues professional development through continuing education, implements changes, provides mentorship and serves as a resource to interdisciplinary team members regarding medical and legal reporting guidelines

Skills & Requirements

• Master's Degree Social Work required
• LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker by the Texas Behavioral Health Ex Council (TBHEC) or LCSW - Lic Clinical Social Worker by the Texas Behavioral Health Ex Council (TBHEC) required