Clinical Social Worker -LCSW, Per Diem

Boston Medical Center•Boston, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Utilizing clinical social work techniques and theory, this role consults on, assesses, and intervenes with high-risk patients and their families regarding the impact and amelioration of emotional and social problems. Duties include conducting psychosocial assessments, making psychosocial diagnoses, planning and implementing effective treatments, evaluation, education, supervision, coaching, and mentoring of the patient and family members. The position also involves consulting, collaborating, and communicating with a wide range of social, governmental, and legal agencies, courts, schools, clinics, other hospitals, physicians, and other sources in the overall care of the patient.

Requirements

Master’s Degree from an accredited school of Social Work.
Massachusetts Licensed Certified Social Worker (or obtained within six months of employment).
Level of knowledge of Social Work process and community resources and agencies in relation to health, illness, and disability, generally acquired through one to two years on-the-job training.
Knowledge of community resources and agencies that serve children and families.
Advanced interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with various healthcare professionals, to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families, and to supervise graduate students.
Must be comfortable in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of racial and ethnic populations.
Computer literacy with ability to use standard word processing, spreadsheet programs and e-mail (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Outlook) and web browsers.

Nice To Haves

Bicultural/Bilingual competency a plus.
Sense of humor is valued.

Responsibilities

Assesses patient and family to ascertain emotional and social problems, utilizing the department’s psychosocial assessment tool.
Identifies issues to be addressed during patient care and formulates a plan.
Reports suspected cases of abuse and neglect and ensures timely, comprehensive consultations and compliance with legal mandates.
Identifies the need to involve the patient’s family and attempts contact on the same day if indicated.
Consults and collaborates with healthcare team members to ensure patient’s emotional and social needs are addressed.
Provides psychotherapeutic treatment and/or psychosocial support to patient and family.
Ensures inpatient and family remain apprised, involved, supported, and treated through prescribed clinical relationship with at least weekly contacts, and more frequently when changes in care or plan require.
Utilizes Social Work technique and theory to assist patient and family in coping with illness or social problems to achieve improved functioning and emotional state.
Begins assessment for an inpatient within 24 hours of referral and completes within two interviews or seven working days.
Begins assessment for an outpatient as soon as patient permits and completes within two interviews.
Completes assessment for an Emergency Department patient within four hours of discharge.
Maintains patient confidentiality according to hospital policy and practices professional discretion when determining the inclusion of patient information into medical records.
Documents each patient encounter in the medical record or Department clinical record concurrently according to Department policies, specifically documenting ongoing treatment work in Department clinic records.
Provides clinical supervision to other department personnel, as assigned.
Complies with departmental, regulatory, and professional requirements for documentation, recording, and data collection.
Submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames.
Maintains competency in areas of responsibility to ensure quality care.
Attends scheduled staff meetings and in-service education program offerings.
Obtains continuing education units necessary to maintain licensure.
Assists management in the operation of a quality department by participating in department programs and complying with department policies and procedures.
Supports graduate and undergraduate training programs by supervising MSW and BSW students.
Identifies weaknesses in operation and recommends improvements.
Works on department committees, per Director’s appointments.
Represents department throughout the hospital and outside community regarding the department’s practice and field of social work.
Maintains work area and equipment in a neat and orderly manner; assists in cleaning and organizing the department and reports malfunctioning equipment.
Maintains a complete understanding of emergency procedures.
Conforms to hospital standards of conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights.
Notifies supervisor when patients in age groups not regularly served are present and seeks assistance from individuals with specialized knowledge.
Performs other duties as needed.
Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the hospital’s mission.
Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.