Population Health Social Worker

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Population Health Social Worker at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center acts as a behavioral health and social work expert on the Population Health Care Management Team within a Value-Based Care model. The role supports highly complex patients by identifying behavioral health and non-medical social needs and coordinating services to promote patient-centered care.

It provides psychosocial assessments, trauma-informed care, harm reduction support, and care coordination while helping

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work from an accredited Graduate School of Social Work required.
• State of Ohio Social Work licensure (LSW or LISW) required.
• 1 year of relevant experience required; 2–4 years preferred.
• Experience in a physician's office or primary health care setting desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial assessments and trauma-informed care to complex patients.
• Coordinate behavioral health, social services, and community resources.
• Support patient advocacy and care planning across teams.
• Facilitate access to behavioral health and social support services.

Skills

Psychosocial assessment

Trauma-informed care

Care coordination

Behavioral health

Harm reduction

Education

Master of Social Work

Job description

The Population Health Social Worker serves as a behavioral health and social work expert on the Population Health Care Management Team within a Value-Based Care model. This role supports highly complex patients by identifying and addressing behavioral health, substance use, and non-medical social needs and coordinating services to promote patient-centered, comprehensive care.

The Population Health Social Worker provides psychosocial assessments, trauma-informed care, harm reduction support, and care coordination while helping patients and families navigate challenges related to medical diagnoses and other complex circumstances. The Social Worker facilitates access to behavioral health, substance use, medical, and social support services, including mental health agencies, providers and facilities, rehabilitation, long-term care placement, hospice, and other community-based resources.

The Population Health Social Worker develops and maintains strong relationships with OSU behavioral health resources, health care providers, interdisciplinary care teams, and community partners to facilitate access to needed services and address barriers to care. The role serves as a trusted resource and subject matter expert, providing guidance related to behavioral health and social work needs and supporting the implementation of appropriate interventions and services for patients and families.

Through collaboration across the health care and community systems, the Population Health Social Worker helps improve care coordination, address social and behavioral health barriers, support positive patient outcomes, and reduce avoidable acute care utilization. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong clinical and interpersonal skills, a commitment to patient advocacy, and the ability to build collaborative relationships across complex health care and community environments.

Minimum Education Required

Master's Level Degree

Required Qualifications

Master of Social Work from an accredited Graduate School of Social Work required; State of Ohio Social Work licensure (LSW or LISW) required. Experience in a physician’s office or other primary health care setting desirable. 1 year of relevant experience required. 2-4 years of relevant experience preferred.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.