Social Worker MSW - Med/Surg

Cedars-Sinai; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedars-Sinai Social Work team seeks an experienced MSW to develop, implement, and evaluate psychosocial interventions for inpatients and outpatients. You will assess needs, coordinate care with physicians and nurses, and connect patients and families with community resources.

The role emphasizes crisis intervention, discharge planning, and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team to optimize patient outcomes in a dynamic hospital environment in Los Angeles.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Social Work required.
• 1 year of clinical social work experience preferred.
• Experience in hospital, palliative or hospice care preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate social service interventions.
• Identify psycho/social needs of patients on inpatient or outpatient basis.
• Perform social work assessments and develop integrated medical/social care plans.

Skills

Clinical Social Work

Crisis Intervention

Education

Master's in Social Work (MSW)

Tools

EMR templates

Job description

Grow your career at Cedars‑Sinai!

Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center has been named to the Honor Roll in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals 2025‑2026” rankings. When you join our team, you’ll have access to groundbreaking biomedical research facilities and world‑class medical education programs. We take pride in hiring exceptional, dedicated professionals who are passionate about advancing healthcare. Our physicians, nurses, and staff reflect the culturally and ethnically diverse communities we serve and are united by a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that drives innovation and supports the gold standard of patient care.

Job Description

Grow your career at Cedars‑Sinai!

Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center has been named to the Honor Roll in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals 2025‑2026” rankings. When you join our team, you’ll have access to groundbreaking biomedical research facilities and world‑class medical education programs. We take pride in hiring exceptional, dedicated professionals who are passionate about advancing healthcare. Our physicians, nurses, and staff reflect the culturally and ethnically diverse communities we serve and are united by a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that drives innovation and supports the gold standard of patient care.

Why work here?

Beyond outstanding benefits and competitive salaries, we take pride in hiring the best employees. Our staff reflects the culturally and ethnically diverse community we serve. They are proof of our commitment to creating a dynamic, inclusive environment that fuels innovation and the gold standard of patient care we strive for.

What will you be doing in this role?

The Social Worker, MSW is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of all social service‑related interventions for corresponding Department/s. Is responsible for identifying patients who have psycho/social needs on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Responsible for performing social work assessments and interventions as needed for all respective assigned patients. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, they perform comprehensive assessments and assist with developing a plan that integrates medical and social resources. Functions include crisis intervention, patient/family intervention, high‑risk screening, and – grief counseling, referring to identified resources and engagement of appropriate agencies or community resources when high‑risk patients are identified. Establishes and maintains professional relationships with physicians, case managers, nursing staff, county agencies, community resources, patients/patient representatives. Active participation in Department's continuing education/staff development programs. Involved in program planning in assigned service areas along with the organization of social work activities. Provides social work services to patients and their families with psychosocial needs.

• Adheres to the National Social Workers Association’s Code of Ethics; request and utilize supervisory consultation as needed and departmental standards dictate.
• Utilize tool/templates in EMR for Social Work consults, family counseling, and group sessions for documentation.
• Performs triage for patients within corresponding team(s) and assists in coordinating patient care delivery, including DPA/POSLT and documents pertinent information in the case management system.
• Initiates and/or participates in team care conferences to include patients, family, and care providers.
• Follows up on communication to the referral source, IE, PCP, family member, case manager, home health personnel, community social worker, Health Plan, etc.
• Performs Advance Care Planning discussions, Complex discharge planning, and Bio‑psychosocial assessments.
• Refers patients to agencies that provide supportive services optimizing patients’ health plan benefits. Provides alternatives for patients requiring specific services.
• Ability to perform a psychosocial assessment and reassessment on patients. This includes pediatric, adolescent, geriatric and the general patient population. Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians and all ancillary services. Consults other departments as appropriate to collaborate in patient care and performance improvement activities.
• Assesses behavioral health patients and arranges evaluations, 5150 hold, input psych transfers and/or arrange to output. Follow up as appropriate.
• Utilizes clinical judgment in making recommendations that will assist in addressing psychosocial barriers to treatment and discharge planning, including crisis intervention and individual and family counseling, coordinates discharge for often complex cases and under‑resourced patients.

Qualifications

Experience Requirements:

• 1 year of Clinical Social Work experience
• 2 years of experience in hospital based, medical setting, and/or palliative/hospice care is preferred.

Educational Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited school of Social Work with a master's degree

Licenses/Certifications:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (CA LCSW) preferred