Medical Social Worker III - Per Diem

Kern Medical • Bakersfield, CA

103d • $40 - $49

About The Position

Kern Medical is seeking an experienced, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to provide medical social work services. The Medical Social Worker III is distinguished from the Medical Social Worker II by the higher level of licensure. Duties depend on assignment and may include counseling, medical social work, protective and family services, community organization, and research. The role also requires maintaining applicable Basic Life Support/RQI Responder certification and competency. Per diem employees supplement department staffing needs, with no guaranteed minimum hours, and must be willing and available to work four shifts per six-week scheduling period.

Requirements

• Possess and maintain an active, valid, unrestricted California Clinical Social Worker license.
• Have two years of experience in a health care facility or experience working with a behavioral health population performing duties comparable to a Medical Social Worker I or II.
• If not holding an American Heart Association Responder or Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at hire, successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for RQI Responder certification within 60 days of employment.
• Be willing and available to work four shifts per six-week scheduling period.
• If job responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, have a current valid California Driver’s License and comply with the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119).
• If job responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by Kern Medical, have a current valid California Driver’s License, sign an authorization for release of driver record information, and comply with the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119).
• Knowledge of social work principles, procedures, techniques, trends, and literature; social, emotional, behavioral, and economic implications of illness, disease, incapacitation, and disfigurement; modern hospital organization and functions; and general laws relating to health and welfare.
• Ability to evaluate information and form logical, sound conclusions; prepare reports and case records; maintain effective, cooperative relationships with professional personnel, patients, and community agencies; and interview people to obtain accurate personal and psychosocial data.

Responsibilities

• Interview and counsel patients and relatives to assess service needs and social and emotional concerns, and plan for illness-related problems.
• Evaluate problems and develop treatment plans.
• Explain diagnoses and prognoses to patients and families to support adjustment to hospitalization or medical conditions.
• Provide casework and group-work treatment, including conducting therapy groups.
• Counsel patients about rehabilitation and employment programs.
• Conduct assessments and provide information used in diagnosis and treatment.
• Participate in research projects, mental health education programs, treatment interventions, and discharge transitions.
• Observe the effects of current policies and inform a supervisor about program gaps.
• Participate in conferences, meetings, and committees.
• Coordinate with other agencies to ensure adequate resources for patients’ functioning and adjustment.
• Evaluate patients’ behavior in the community and help determine whether further treatment is needed.
• Arrange follow-up care.
• Prepare case records, reports, and correspondence.
• Develop the cultural competency program in the internal medicine department.
• Develop professional interviewing skills for internal medicine department residents.
• Depending on practice area or department assignment, demonstrate clinical knowledge and skill in caring for newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Perform other job-related duties as required.
• Maintain RQI Responder certification and competency as a continued condition of employment.
• Remain at work or report to work in a safe and practicable manner in the event of a disaster or civil disorder.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed