Senior Social Worker

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker at UW Medical Center–Northwest partners with patients, families, and the health care team to address medically related social and emotional needs, providing support and advocacy as those needs affect medical conditions, treatment, recovery, and safe transitions between care settings. The role provides a full range of social work services, including psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, discharge planning, crisis intervention, and resource referral. The Senior Social Worker coordinates care across the continuum and supports effective resource utilization as patients transition from acute to post-acute settings. This position covers all service areas, including Medical Inpatient, Perinatal Health, Emergency Department, and Inpatient Psychiatry (Geropsych and LTCC). Work is per diem on rotating and variable shifts, including weekends and holidays, with day, swing, late swing, and NOC shifts of 8, 10, or 12 hours. The position is temporary and has a 0.00% FTE. The Senior Social Worker practices according to standards of collaboration, communication, facilitation, coordination, advocacy, resource management, accountability, and professionalism. The position provides specialty consultation to health care staff and teams; psychosocial support to patients and families; clinical assessments; discharge planning in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams; care coordination for patients with complicated social and medical histories; and case management and counseling in specialized programs. Within 90 days, the employee must hold one of the specified Washington State credentials: Agency Affiliated Counselor; Licensed Social Work Associate–Advanced; Licensed Social Work Associate–Independent Clinical; Licensed Advanced Social Worker; or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.

Requirements

Master of Social Work degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
One year of full-time social work experience in a health care setting or equivalent; experience may include a practicum placement as part of a social work training program and/or employment experience.
Within 90 days, hold a Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor, Licensed Social Work Associate–Advanced, Licensed Social Work Associate–Independent Clinical, Licensed Advanced Social Worker, or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker credential.

Responsibilities

Provide specialty consultation to health care staff and teams regarding psychosocial aspects of patient care.
Provide psychosocial support to patients and families.
Complete clinical assessments according to department standards.
Develop and implement safe, timely discharge plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
Coordinate care for patients with complicated social and medical histories.
Provide case management and counseling services in specialized programs.
Partner with patients, families, and the health care team to address social and emotional needs and support safe transitions of care.
Provide social work services including treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, crisis intervention, and resource referrals.
Coordinate resources and services across the continuum of care and support effective resource utilization.
Communicate relevant and accurate patient-care information to involved parties and advocate for patient and caregiver access, safety, and rights.