Social Work – Inpatient

At Baystate Health we respect the privacy of our candidates and recruits. Please note that we will not contact candidates directly to ask for personal information over the phone, such as date of birth, social security number, or any other private financial information.
Learn More

Principle duties related to direct clinical services. Responsible for addressing the psychosocial issues that arise in acute care, emergency department and/or other inpatient settings, through a range of focused Social Work interventions and practices. Services are provided upon referral by nursing staff/physicians, community contacts, or by patients or their families. Services address those areas of psycho-social functioning that adversely affect or are affected by the patient’s medical condition, coping skills, and/or discharge status.

Interventions include direct counseling of patients and families regarding emotional, financial, environmental, and safety issues and appropriate referrals and coordination with other community agencies. The role is designed to assist patients, families, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team to work through an identified problem to positively affect the continuity of care and optimal outcome of healthcare services in the inpatient setting.

Demonstrates knowledge about human behavior and theory; and about the psychosocial impact of disease on individuals and families as it relates to their age and stage of development. Coordinates input from all health care professionals, patients, and families to formulate a documented discharge plan assuring continuity of care on a daily basis. Additional responsibilities may include collaboration, and/or education, with other members of the healthcare team.

Demonstrates clear written and verbal communication skills. Supports the mission and philosophy of the department as well as the Operating and Service Standards of Baystate Health.

• 1) Provides a comprehensive age-specific, psychosocial assessment of patients, including social, psychological, cultural, environmental, and financial information, and utilizes this information to develop a psychosocial treatment plan.
  
  Incorporates cultural and spiritual variables into the assessment.
  
  Assesses the risk of abuse/neglect for children, disabled adults, and/or elders as appropriate.
  
  Files reports with appropriate agencies as needed.
• 2) Ability to formulate treatment goals/plans with the patient and refer to other disciplines as needed. Supports patients' rights by treating their individual needs in the framework of their specific psychosocial, spiritual, developmental, and cultural variables.
• 3) Provides counseling services to patients and families.
  
  Utilizes diverse counseling techniques to help patients and their families deal with their medical situations more effectively. Remains current in social work practice trends. Demonstrates strong social work skills.
• 4) Participates as part of the care management team using discharge planning knowledge and skills to ensure that appropriate post-hospital care plans are developed and implemented in a timely manner. Coordinates and documents transition of care plan toward the desired outcome, making recommendations and revisions to the plan as indicated. Proactively evaluates the psychosocial and physical needs of the patient and family, insuring appropriate transition of care.
  
  Make referrals as needed to social service/community agencies or programs. Communicates and involves the health care team, patient, and family throughout the performance of this process.
• 5) Works with hospital attorneys regarding legal issues such as guardianship or commitment of those with alcohol or other substance use disorders.
  
  Provides assessment of…