Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Social Work Clinician, Pediatric Palliative Care Program

Stanford Medicine Children's Health•Palo Alto, CA

5d•$54 - $63•Onsite

About The Position

As a member of a multidisciplinary health care team, the medical social worker provides psychosocial interventions to patients and families receiving services within the hospital. The work addresses biopsychosocial issues through assessment of social needs related to health status and collaborative development of treatment plans, including advocacy, counseling, referrals, and practical assistance. The role also provides consultation, orientation, and training to health care staff on the effects of biopsychosocial, cultural, and economic issues on patient health needs, and advocates for social work values and ethics. The position is flexibly staffed at either the Social Work Clinician or Licensed Clinical Social Worker level, depending on qualifications. Licensed Clinical Social Workers are fully qualified, California-licensed professionals who work with substantial professional responsibility and independence. Social Work Clinicians are at the entry or developmental level and may be recent graduates or experienced social workers who are not yet California-licensed LCSWs. The role involves psychosocial assessment and treatment planning with patients and families, coordination with interdisciplinary teams and community services, counseling and crisis intervention, psychoeducation, and continuity of care. The position is in the Pediatric Palliative Care Program. The role is not remote and is scheduled for 40 hours per week on an eight-hour day shift.

Requirements

Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited college or university program, or equivalent as demonstrated by licensure, for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker level.
Two years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker level.
Current Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker level.
Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited college or university program for the Social Work Clinician level, completed before the start date.
If the MSW is not from a CSWE-accredited program, a California Board of Behavioral Sciences certificate verifying registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker is required as evidence that the program was accepted as equivalent.
Ability to apply medical social work theories, principles, and practices and understand social services delivery systems in a hospital or medical center setting.
Ability to assess patient and family needs using a data-based approach and manage a caseload while maintaining confidentiality.
Ability to determine appropriate action in emergencies and stressful situations and provide written case narratives and reports.
Knowledge of and ability to apply effective assessment, interviewing, and counseling techniques and social work theories and practices.
Knowledge of hospital or medical center resources and ability to obtain services needed for patient care.
Knowledge of child development and the impacts of injury, illness, and loss; knowledge of family dynamics.
Sensitivity to cultural considerations relevant to the hospital's patient population.

Nice To Haves

Experience in pediatric palliative care, hospice, and/or serious illness care.
Hospital experience.
Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker – Certified (APHSW-C) credential.

Responsibilities

Prepare and maintain electronic medical records in accordance with department and health system policies.
Provide written and oral reports and hand-offs.
Conduct psychosocial assessments of patients and families on admission, annually, and as clinically indicated; evaluate social, emotional, and physical needs and identify barriers to care.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary health care teams to develop and implement patient and family psychosocial treatment plans.
Coordinate referrals to specialty and social services, entitlement programs, and other care delivery systems; document progress and support continuity of care.
Help patients and families cope with environmental and psychological issues related to illness.
Manage an assigned caseload and identify patients and families with potential psychosocial needs; attend team conferences and participate in interdisciplinary rounds as needed.
Provide supportive and grief counseling, crisis intervention, and other therapeutic services to help patients and families cope with illness, medical information, and changes in functioning and care needs.
Provide psychoeducation about adapting to a patient's diagnosis, illness, treatment, and prognosis, and assist patients and families with transitions from youth to adult services.
Participate in quality assurance and community improvement related to social work services and patient and family needs, and contribute to the review and development of related policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers may provide individual or group clinical supervision to MSWs and student interns, as assigned.
Abide by Joint Commission requirements and hospital policies and procedures, including Service Standards and the Code of Conduct.