SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST

St. Charles Health System; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 50,957 - 76,443; Part time

Job summary

A leading health organization in Oregon is seeking a part-time Social Services Specialist. The role focuses on meeting the psychosocial needs of patients and their families by providing supportive counseling, care planning, and interventions for various mental health issues. Required qualifications include a Master's degree in Social Work or Behavioral Sciences and at least one year of experience in a related field. This position offers competitive pay and a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• 1 year experience in a healthcare or social work-related field required.
• 2 years of experience in a hospital setting preferred.
• Valid current Oregon driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in meeting psychosocial needs of patients and families.
• Advocate for patients' needs and facilitate care plans.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments and provide interventions.

Skills

Psychosocial Support

Counseling

Advocacy

Assessment

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Education

Master’s level degree in Social Work or Behavioral Sciences

Job description

2 days ago – be among the first 25 applicants

Pay range: $36.99 – $55.49

Relief Differential: 15%

St. Charles Health System

Vision: Creating America’s healthiest community, together. Mission: In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value. Values: Accountability, Caring and Teamwork.

Job Title

Social Services Specialist

Position Overview

The Social Services Specialist assists in meeting the psychosocial needs of patients and their families by helping patients utilize services to achieve optimum level of function throughout the continuum of care. The role provides supportive counseling, end‑of‑life support, care planning, and brief interventions, including assessment and treatment for patients experiencing coexisting medical concerns and social/behavioral/mental health issues. The Specialist offers a therapeutic presence and works collaboratively with a multi‑disciplinary team.

Essential Functions and Duties

• Acts as a member of the Interdisciplinary Care Team, ensuring effective and cost‑efficient care and revising care plans.
• Coordinates care plans as a consultative service, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to address psychosocial needs related to injuries, accidents, and critical incidents.
• Advocates for patients’ needs, ensuring they receive appropriate services and resources for continuum of care and discharge planning.
• Facilitates patient and family learning throughout the continuum of care, teaches and refers, advocates for patient rights, and addresses barriers to care.
• Provides bio‑psychosocial and trauma‑informed interventions, support, and referrals; identifies coping strategies and support mechanisms; communicates community resources.
• Provides brief, evidence‑based interventions for emotional distress; assesses threats of self‑harm or harm to others.
• Provides education, support, community resources, and care planning for palliative care, hospice, and bereavement needs.
• Conducts comprehensive assessments of economic, mental health, family dynamics, and social support systems; evaluates Social Determinants of Health and connects patients with appropriate resources.
• Provides substance abuse assessments and brief interventions (SBIRT, DAST) and refers to outpatient behavioral health for follow‑up for patients scoring positively on the Columbia Suicide Risk Assessment.
• Identifies victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse; makes appropriate referrals and notifies the Department of Human Services (DHS) and/or law enforcement when applicable.
• Provides information, education, and resource referrals related to advance directives, powers of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, and long‑term care services.
• Gathers and documents data promptly, ensuring compliance with departmental standards, maintaining accurate records of patient interactions, assessments, and interventions; collaborates with electronic health record systems.
• Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality, complying with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a timely, efficient, and accurate manner that promotes goodwill.
• Supports the vision, mission, and values of the organization in all respects.
• Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement; champions change.
• Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients, and guests.
• Mays perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

Education

Required: Master’s level degree in Social Work or Behavioral Sciences.

Licensure / Certification / Registration

Required: Valid current Oregon driver’s license and ability to meet SCHS driving requirements for Home Health, Hospice and Behavioral Health departments.

Preferred: Accredited Case Manager Certification (ACMA:ACM‑SW). Membership in the National Association of Social Workers or another national association.

Experience

Required: One (1) year experience in a healthcare or social work‑related field.

Preferred: Two (2) years of experience in a hospital setting.

Employment Details

Seniority level: Entry level

Employment type: Part‑time

Job function: Other

Industries: Hospitals and Health Care