Medical Social Worker Inpatient Unit (IPU) - Full Time

Kern Medical • Bakersfield, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Kern Medical is seeking a full-time Medical Social Worker for its Inpatient Unit (IPU). This role involves providing skilled social work services, including counseling, case management, and community resource coordination, to patients and their families. The position requires assessing social and emotional needs, developing treatment plans, and ensuring patients receive appropriate care and support during and after hospitalization. The Medical Social Worker will also contribute to program development and collaborate with various agencies to optimize patient functioning and adjustment. This role serves patients across all age groups, from newborns to geriatrics.

Requirements

• 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.
• OPTION 1 (MSW I): Requires an M.S.W as required by state and accrediting agencies.
• OPTION 2 (MSW I): 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.
• OPTION 3 (MSW I): 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.
• OPTION 1 (MSW II): Requires an M.S.W as required by state and accrediting agencies and two (2) years experience in a health care facility or psychiatric clinic performing duties comparable to a Medical Social Worker I.
• OPTION 2 (MSW II): 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 and two (2) years experience in a health care facility, psychiatric clinic, or family counseling service performing duties comparable to a Medical Social Worker I.
• OPTION 3 (MSW II): 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 two (2) years experience in a health care facility, psychiatric clinic, or family counseling service performing duties comparable to a Medical Social Worker I.
• 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.
• If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.
• If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a health care facility, psychiatric clinic, or family counseling service is desirable.

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
• 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.
• Provides casework and group work treatment for patients; conducts therapy groups
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Benefits

• New Hire Premium: +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package: includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.
• Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses.
• This position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level