Clinical Social Work per diem
About The Position
The Social Worker LSW reports to the Social Work Manager and evaluates, diagnoses, and treats psychosocial problems using clinical social work skills to help patients and families address personal and environmental challenges related to mental or physical illness. The role supports patients in reaching their highest possible level of psychosocial functioning. Social Workers assigned to inpatient units participate in the co-management model with unit leadership and support patient flow initiatives. The position follows NASW professional standards and Brown University Health’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, as well as its core Success Factors: Instill Trust and Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate. The Social Worker completes biopsychosocial evaluations, develops treatment plans, provides individual and group interventions, coordinates care and discharge planning, and documents services in patient records. The role includes consultation and education for patients, families, medical staff, and support staff; coordination of advocacy and community resources; participation in care conferences, quality assurance, studies, projects, and training; and maintenance of professional expertise. The position may also provide field placement supervision and evaluation for BSW or MSW candidates when the stated qualifications are met.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited graduate school of Social Work.
- Current license from the State of Rhode Island Board of Social Work Licensure; minimum licensure requirement is Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- When eligible—after two years or 2,000 hours of post-master’s supervised practice—must obtain Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) status.
- Six months to one year of clinical experience, preferably in a health or mental health setting and with populations relevant to the assigned area.
- Training and experience to address the needs of patients in assigned areas, including age, developmental stage, special needs, and cultural patterns.
- Knowledge and skills to provide care with consideration of aging processes, human development stages, and cultural patterns.
- Analytical and therapy skills to evaluate patients, develop treatment plans, initiate therapy, and evaluate results.
- Ability to interact effectively with patients, families, medical staff, and outside agencies.
Responsibilities
- Complete biopsychosocial evaluations to identify and eliminate barriers to treatment and discharge and to support patient health and effective resource utilization.
- Consult with medical and support staff about patients’ backgrounds, psychosocial functioning, and needs to support comprehensive care planning, treatment compliance, care coordination, and patient satisfaction.
- Develop treatment plans, initiate clinical interventions using individual and group modalities, and evaluate treatment progress and outcomes.
- Document social work activities in patient medical records according to departmental standards.
- Participate in collaborative care rounds and conferences with care personnel and community agencies to coordinate care and support safe transitions to communities and less restrictive settings.
- Educate patients and families to help them understand, accept, and follow medical and social work recommendations.
- Assess patient and family advocacy needs and coordinate advocacy within the hospital and community, emphasizing client self-determination and access to supports and resources.
- Provide field placement supervision and evaluation for BSW and/or MSW candidates when qualified.
- Complete case-related statistics and other reports according to departmental standards.
- Participate in hospital-wide, departmental, and community studies, projects, and trainings related to psychosocial issues and barriers in service delivery.
- Stay current on community resources relevant to the clinical assignment and access them as needed.
- Maintain and enhance professional expertise through educational activities and relevant training.
- Participate in quality assurance activities in accordance with departmental, hospital, and Joint Commission standards.
- Follow Brown University Health, hospital, and department policies and procedures and comply with applicable laws, regulations, and standards to maintain a safe care environment.
- Follow the Brown University Health Corporate Compliance Program and Code of Conduct.
