Social Worker (S)
Rochester, NY
Responsibilities
General Description
The Social Worker is an integral member of the Psychiatric Consult and Liaison Service (PCLS), working together with the other PCLS providers, including physicians, advanced practice providers and others. The social worker who occupies this position provides psychiatric social work services, including providing short-term supportive counseling to identified patients and their families, admitted to Medicine and Surgical units for inpatient services, and to help medical/surgical staff members work with such patients and families. The social worker will assist in identifying active mental illness and substance abuse disorder at the earliest possible time during hospitalization by obtaining information through screening via chart review, informal discussions with unit clinical staff, including medical social workers and nursing, and direct patient contact. The clinical social worker will provide intervention and support to mitigate the effects of mental or substance abuse disorders on patient’s physical health care while hospitalized. The psychiatric social worker, in collaboration with the medical social worker, provides recommendations for the discharge plan of care related to behavioral health needs, which is completed with patient, interdisciplinary team, and identified formal and informal supports. The social worker may provide interventions in modalities of, but not limited to, supportive counseling, rounding, family meetings, agency meetings, groups, and/or phone conferences. The psychiatric social worker develops and maintains relationships with the PCLS team members; providers on the medical and surgical units; and community and outpatient providers to facilitate a fluid transition and continuity of care of behavioral health needs for identified patients discharged from medical inpatient units. Additionally, the social worker can participate in supporting the education of trainees that rotate through PCLS, within scope of practice.
Specific Responsibilities
Assumes social work role with the larger PCLS as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. In collaboration with the assigned unit medical social worker, completes psychosocial and/or family assessments for patients on the consult service if not completed in ED and/or consultation services. Provides ongoing psychosocial risk assessment during patient’s admission. Provides short-term therapy to identified patients, and assists medical/surgical unit staff members in their management of identified patients.
Assists medical/surgical unit social workers as necessary, to coordinate safe and timely discharge plans regarding identified patients' mental health issues, including providing interventions in response to psychosocial risks that might impede progress, continuity of care, and/or timely discharge.
Working collaboratively with medical and surgical social workers to identify, contact and coordinate with outpatient mental health providers/agencies to facilitate involvement for patient and family plan of care and discharge planning for continuity of care. Provide education to med/surg unit social workers, patient and family about community resources and referrals, advocate and support patients and family in their efforts to interact with complex social service agencies, specifically around behavioral health services.
Documents treatment in patient’s electronic medical record in compliance with Division, Department, and Hospital Policy.
Attends Social Work Division, Social Work in Psychiatry and Program staff meetings. Participates in activities of the Social Work and Psychiatry Division Psychiatry Division including, but not limited to, ensuring policies and procedures are implemented with regard to professional practice, discharge planning and patient care, timely completion of time reporting and other Hospital or Division forms; Hospital and Division mandatory in-service training programs and UHS reviews. Participates in routine committee process of the Social Work Division, and facilitates Division and Hospital quality assurance and staff development activities. Subscribes to the Departmental goal of creating a culturally competent environment by treating patient, families, trainees, and co-workers in a sensitive manner with appropriate attention to cultural differences. Participates in available cultural competency events and training appropriate to job duties.
Ensures that proper treatment and referral protocols are followed with respect to child abuse, domestic violence, consultation with specialty clinics, and referral both within and outside of SMH.
Provide support and guidance to patient and family as needed when navigating our internal health system and financial resources.
Other duties as assigned.
Position Qualifications
Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work (CSWE) required
2-5 years professional social work practice beyond the Master's degree, involving behavioral health services preferred.
Knowledge about and ability to provide behavioral health assessments/evaluations and evidenced based interventions preferred;
Commitment to and routine demonstration of biopsychosocial approach to care of individuals and families preferred;
Dedication to delivering a team-based integrated model of care preferred
Demonstrates cultural humility and anti-racism values and works toward ensuring all patients feel welcome preferred.
Required:
- Master's degree from an accredited school of social work. Licensure as a social worker, as defined by the State Board for Social Work, State Education Department, Division of Professional Licensing Services is required. If licensure has not been obtained upon employment, the individual has 18 months within which to obtain it, unless duties will be performed under OMH then minimum of a limited permit (not to exceed 1 year) or NYS Licensure will be required upon employment start.
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.
How To Apply
All applicants must apply online.
EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled
Location: Strong Memorial Hospital
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Opening: Full Time 40 hours Grade 053 Psychiatry SMH Social Work