Medical Social Worker I/II - Per Diem Shift - Social Services

Kern Medical•Bakersfield, CA

10d•$30 - $43

About The Position

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year. Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as: Per Diem employees supplement department staffing needs, with no guarantee of minimum hours. Per Diem minimum scheduling expectation is four (4) shifts per four-week schedule. Definition: Under supervision, plans and implement medical social service delivery programs in clinical service areas; to perform responsible medical social work for patients at Kern Medical and for their families; and performs related work as required. Distinguishing Characteristics: Medical Social Worker I is the first level of the Medical Social Worker series. This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Medical Social Worker II primarily by the amount of direction and assistance they receive in their work. Incumbents who meet the minimum qualification for Medical Service Worker II are eligible to be considered for promotion on a merit basis subject to recommendation of the Department Head and approval of the Director of Human Resources. Essential Functions: Dependent upon assignment: Functions at a highly skilled level in such areas as counseling, medical social work, protective services, family services, community organization and research Interviews and counsels patients and relatives in order to determine appropriateness of services, to determine extent of social and emotional problems, and to plan for patient’s illness and related problems Evaluates problems and makes treatment plans; Provides casework and group work treatment for patients Interprets diagnosis and prognoses to patients and their families to insure best adjustment to hospitalization and/or medical condition Counsels patients on rehabilitation and employment programs Performs assessments and provides information for use in diagnosis and treatment Participates in research projects, mental health educational programs, treatment intervention and assist in discharge transition Observes effects of current policies and informs supervisor of gaps in the program Participates in conferences , meetings and committees Cooperates with other agencies to insure adequate resources to assist in the patient's maximum level of functioning and adjustment Evaluates patient’s community behavior and assists in determining need for further treatment Arranges for follow-up care Prepares case records, reports and correspondence Develops the cultural competency program in the internal medicine department Develops professional interviewing skills for residents of the internal medicine department Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of age. Other Functions: Performs other job-related duties as required.

Requirements

OPTION 1: Requires an M.S.W as required by state and accrediting agencies. Experience in a health care facility, psychiatric clinic, or family counseling service is desirable.
OPTION 2: Requires a Master's degree from an accredited School of Social Work, or a Master's degree in one of the related health sciences, including Counseling and Guidance, Psychology, or Public Health. Experience in a health care facility, psychiatric clinic, or family counseling service is desirable.
OPTION 3: Requires a Master's degree in Social Work or Social Welfare from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, or a Master's degree in Psychology or Marriage, Family and Child Counseling and one (1) year of experience in a health care facility, psychiatric clinic, or family counseling service.
Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Responder or Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Responder certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Responder certification and competency.
Knowledge of: The principles, procedures, techniques, trends and literature of Social Work; knowledge of social, emotional, behavioral and economic implications of illness, disease, incapacitation and disfigurement; knowledge of modern hospital organization and functions; knowledge of general laws relating to health and welfare; ability to evaluate information and form logical and sound conclusions; ability to prepare reports and case records; ability to maintain effective and cooperative relationships with professional personnel, patients and community agencies; ability to interview and obtain accurate personal and psycho-social data for records.

Responsibilities

Functions at a highly skilled level in such areas as counseling, medical social work, protective services, family services, community organization and research
Interviews and counsels patients and relatives in order to determine appropriateness of services, to determine extent of social and emotional problems, and to plan for patient’s illness and related problems
Evaluates problems and makes treatment plans
Provides casework and group work treatment for patients
Interprets diagnosis and prognoses to patients and their families to insure best adjustment to hospitalization and/or medical condition
Counsels patients on rehabilitation and employment programs
Performs assessments and provides information for use in diagnosis and treatment
Participates in research projects, mental health educational programs, treatment intervention and assist in discharge transition
Observes effects of current policies and informs supervisor of gaps in the program
Participates in conferences , meetings and committees
Cooperates with other agencies to insure adequate resources to assist in the patient's maximum level of functioning and adjustment
Evaluates patient’s community behavior and assists in determining need for further treatment
Arranges for follow-up care
Prepares case records, reports and correspondence
Develops the cultural competency program in the internal medicine department
Develops professional interviewing skills for residents of the internal medicine department
Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of age.
Performs other job-related duties as required.