Social Worker; Emergency Department

Position: Social Worker (Emergency Department)
The Emergency Department (ED) Psychiatric Social Worker (SW) serves as a member of Psychiatry/Mental Health Service at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, assigned to the ED to cover non-administrative duty hours (evenings, weekends, and holiday), and they are responsible for the triage, and behavioral health evaluation of patients presenting to the ED with psychiatric complaints, and/or with concerns of safety from psychosis, suicidality, or homicidal ideation.

* Screening/Assessment - Through collaborative relationships with Emergency Department (ED) physicians and staff, and Psychiatry staff, the ED Social Worker will be primarily responsible for evaluation of Veteran's with psychiatric symptoms, or safety concerns in the ED, via the Psychiatry Triage evaluation and, when clinically indicated per policy, the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation (CSRE). These evaluations will be thorough and demonstrate a consideration of patient's acute mental health and psychosocial needs, as evidenced by the gathering and documentation of an appropriate history (as outlined above).

It will be expected that in cases indicating need for contacting collateral informants that this will be completed in keeping with HIPAA guidelines, and that they will be available to advise the ED staff on recommendations from a therapeutic perspective (within the Social Work Scope of Practice) that may facilitate safe care and evaluation.

* Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - Based on evaluation and staffing, the ED Social Worker determines realistic goals with the Veteran, including such factors as:

* The appropriate type of intervention and/or level of care

* The setting conducive to providing such intervention or care

* The need for caregiver support to allow for the least restrictive level of care

* Transportation options/barriers

* The steps to obtaining resources (VA or community) that make the achievement of goals possible.

* The development of a Suicide Prevention Safety Plan as appropriate to the clinical case.

* The ED Social Worker provides treatment utilizing appropriate social work intervention modalities for psychosocial problems that may be affecting the Veteran's medical/psychiatric condition; and provides supportive, strengths-based therapy, as indicated to Veterans and/or families experiencing stress, in response to crisis situations.

* Referral to service providers - To facilitate the continuity of a Veteran's care, the ED Social Worker will collaborate with other interdisciplinary team providers in assessing the Veteran's needs and educate the Veteran and/or caregiver about the available services and their shared responsibility in accessing such services. He/she will also facilitate follow-up appointments with outpatient services, or getting patients evaluated for admission from the ED.

* Resource Usage/Development - As a subject matter expert on the services and resources available to Veterans through both VA and the community, the ED Social Worker will monitor for appropriate follow-up, by communicating with outpatient providers, working with the Suicide Prevention Team, Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist, Mental Health Clinic access, or Psychiatric outpatient providers (if the patient is in active treatment) to facilitate follow-up, and avoiding gaps in care provided.

The ED Social Worker will communicate with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., Psychiatry Service Leadership, the Chief of Social Work Service, the Social Work Practice Council, other VA programs, community partners) to encourage the development of new and innovative resources; and monitor the effectiveness of Mental Health services provided through the ED, recommending new or modified services as needed.

* Advocacy - The ED Social Worker will advocate for Veterans to ensure that they have access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the community.

* Crisis Intervention - The ED Social Worker will be expected to be adept in the intervention and evaluation of psychiatric crises arising in presenting Veterans in the ED or outpatient setting, within the scope of social work practice, to include completing the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation (CSRE), when clinically indicated, and participate in developing Suicide Prevention Safety Plans intended to maximize patients' autonomy and management of future crises.

* Education/Health promotion and prevention - The ED Social Worker will provide education about VA and community resources, VA benefits, and available services within the VA system.

* Supportive counseling - The ED Social Worker will provide the Veteran and his or her family/caregivers when indicated (in the course of evaluations or crisis interventions) with brief, time-limited, supportive counseling.

* Non-patient care responsibilities - The ED Social Worker will enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic medical record using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, timely and…