General Medicine Social Worker, MSW - Care Management

Denver Health and Hospital Authority•Denver, CO

About The Position

The General Medicine Social Worker, MSW – Care Management plans, organizes, and implements social work treatment for Emergency Department and hospitalized patients and their families. Under general supervision, the social worker assesses patients’ biopsychosocial needs and develops individualized plans of care addressing current health concerns and ongoing access to care outside the hospital. The role provides clinical interventions using personal, family, and community resources, including crisis intervention, supportive counseling, case consultation, and care coordination. The social worker conducts assessments, develops and coordinates care and discharge or transition plans, and supports patients in identifying strengths, addressing barriers, and setting treatment goals. The role works with patients across the continuum of care, collaborates with internal and external resources and multidisciplinary teams, and supports informed patient involvement in care planning. It also applies knowledge of human development and patients’ cultural, religious, ethnic, and social contexts to provide appropriate care and education.

Requirements

Master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited college or university.
Typically, one year of full-time post-master’s social work practice under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker; the posting lists 1–3 years of work experience.
Knowledge of care coordination and discharge planning, crisis intervention, and supportive counseling.
Knowledge of medical and behavioral health terminology, abbreviations, and diagnoses, with the ability to demonstrate this knowledge verbally and in writing.
Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Ability to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served in the healthcare setting.
Skill in establishing a treatment alliance and engaging patients in setting and prioritizing goals.
Ability to manage professional relationships, including termination or transition of care.
Ability to respond to crisis situations and provide support.
Ability to advocate professionally as appropriate.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive, individualized, objective, and complete biopsychosocial assessments.
Provide interventions appropriate to patients’ presenting problems.
Use case management practices, including assessment and reassessment, care planning, care coordination, and documentation.
Evaluate emotional factors and the impact of health issues; help patients identify strengths and disruptive or dysfunctional factors and establish treatment goals and discharge or transition plans.
Coordinate care throughout the continuum of care or hospitalization, from case referral through case closure.
Apply knowledge of individual, group, and family functioning to select appropriate treatment methods and develop brief, socio-culturally sensitive interventions.
Consult, negotiate, and coordinate with internal and external resources to support collaboration and patient outcomes.
Facilitate multidisciplinary communications and patient-care meetings, including case conferences, family meetings, and rounding; use information from these meetings to assess and reassess care needs.
Educate staff about the scope of the social work role on the healthcare team.
Ensure patients are involved in care planning and goal setting, with informed consent documented.
Apply knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan and interpret relevant cultural information when assessing patients and providing care.
Use knowledge of patients’ cultural, religious, ethnic, and social systems in interactions, care planning, and education.
Use knowledge of programs and eligibility requirements to obtain appropriate resources and services; educate others, identify gaps, and suggest alternatives.
Help patients adjust to illness, disability, or trauma by addressing biopsychosocial concerns and strengthening problem-solving and coping skills.

Benefits

Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick time, and 7 holidays.
100% paid parental leave for up to 6 weeks.
Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions up to 9.5%.
Medical, dental, and vision plans, plus employer-paid disability and life insurance.
Well-being programs, including an on-site employee fitness center and the RESTORE Center.
Free RTD EcoPass for public transportation.
Childcare discount programs and discounts on brands, travel, and other offerings.
Tuition reimbursement and assistance.
Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center.
Clinical advancement program and shared governance.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, free student loan coaching, and assistance navigating the PSLF program.
Eligibility for National Health Service Corps and Colorado Health Service Corps programs.