Clinical Social Worker-LCSW, MICU, 40 Hours (Days)

Boston Medical Center•Boston, MA

About The Position

Uses clinical social work techniques and theory to assess, consult on, and intervene with high-risk patients and their families regarding emotional and social problems. The role conducts psychosocial assessments and diagnoses, plans and implements treatment, evaluates outcomes, and provides education, supervision, coaching, and mentoring to patients and family members. It collaborates with healthcare teams and external social, governmental, and legal agencies, courts, schools, clinics, hospitals, and physicians in the overall care of patients. The position is in the MICU and is scheduled for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with one weekend per month and one holiday per year. The role includes patient and family assessment and care planning, psychotherapeutic treatment and psychosocial support, mandated reporting, timely and confidential documentation, supervision and training, professional development, and participation in department operations.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited school of Social Work.
Massachusetts Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW).
One to two years of knowledge of the social work process and community resources related to health, illness, and disability.
Knowledge of community resources serving children and families.
Advanced interpersonal skills for working with healthcare professionals, patients, families, and graduate students.
Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Computer literacy, including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and web browsers.
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual or bicultural skills.

Responsibilities

Assess patients and families using the department’s psychosocial assessment tool, identify care issues, and develop a plan.
Involve family members in the initial assessment and attempt same-day contact when indicated.
Meet assessment timeframes: for inpatients, begin within 24 hours of referral and complete within two interviews or seven working days; for outpatients, begin as soon as the patient permits and complete within two interviews; and for Emergency Department patients, complete within four hours of discharge.
Provide psychotherapeutic treatment and psychosocial support to reduce the impact of identified problems.
Help patients and families cope with illness and social problems to improve functioning.
Keep inpatients and families informed and involved through at least weekly contact, and more often when care or the plan changes.
Consult with the healthcare team to ensure emotional and social needs are addressed.
Report suspected abuse and neglect, follow up to ensure timely consultation, and comply with legal mandates.
Document each encounter concurrently and record ongoing treatment in department clinical records in accordance with department policy, confidentiality requirements, and regulatory and professional standards.
Use professional discretion about medical-record content and note when critical information has been excluded and where it can be found.
Submit statistics and reports on time.
Provide clinical supervision to department staff and supervise MSW and BSW students as assigned.
Maintain competency and complete the continuing education units required for licensure.
Attend staff meetings and in-services reliably and on time; participate in department programs and committees as appointed.
Identify operational weaknesses and recommend improvements.
Represent the department within the hospital and in the community.
Keep the work area orderly and report equipment malfunctions.
Know emergency procedures and follow infection control and safety protocols.
Follow hospital standards of conduct and patient rights.
Notify the supervisor when patients from age groups not regularly served are present and seek specialized guidance.
Perform other duties as needed, guided by the hospital’s behavioral standards and mission.