Social Worker MSW - Adolescent Inpatient Unit

Denver Health and Hospital Authority • Denver, CO

5d

About The Position

The Social Worker MSW plans, organizes, and implements social work treatment for emergency department and hospitalized patients and their families. Under general supervision, the role assesses biopsychosocial needs and develops individualized plans of care addressing current health concerns and ongoing access to care after hospitalization. The position provides clinical interventions using personal, family, and community resources, including crisis intervention, supportive counseling, case consultation, and care coordination.

The Social Worker conducts comprehensive assessments; develops and coordinates care and discharge or transition plans; supports patients in identifying strengths, needs, and treatment goals; and collaborates with internal and external resources. The role facilitates multidisciplinary communication and patient-care meetings, promotes patient involvement and informed consent in care planning, and applies knowledge of development, culture, religion, ethnicity, and social systems to treatment and education. The position also helps patients adjust to illness, disability, or trauma by addressing biopsychosocial concerns and strengthening coping and problem-solving skills.

This is a PRN/intermittent position on the Adolescent Inpatient Unit, with a day shift schedule. Denver Health describes itself as a mission-driven, integrated academic healthcare system and an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited college or university.
• Typically, one year of full-time post-master’s Social Work practice under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker; listed work experience is 1–3 years.
• Knowledge of care coordination and discharge planning, crisis intervention, and supportive counseling.
• Knowledge of medical and behavioral-health terminology, abbreviations, and diagnoses, with the ability to demonstrate this knowledge verbally and in writing.
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served in a healthcare setting.
• Skill in establishing a treatment alliance and engaging patients in goal setting and prioritization.
• Ability to manage professional relationships, including termination or transition of care.
• Ability to respond to crisis situations and provide support.
• Ability to advocate professionally as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive, individualized, objective, and complete biopsychosocial assessments.
• Provide interventions appropriate to patients’ presenting problems.
• Use case-management practices including assessment and reassessment, care planning, care coordination, and documentation.
• Assess emotional factors and the impact of health issues; help patients identify strengths and disruptive or dysfunctional factors and establish detailed discharge or transition-of-care plans.
• Coordinate care throughout hospitalization and the continuum of care, from referral through case closure.
• Apply knowledge of individual, group, and family functioning to select appropriate treatment methods and help patients achieve care-plan goals.
• Develop brief interventions that are socio-culturally sensitive.
• Consult, negotiate, and coordinate with internal and external resources to support collaborative efforts and patient outcomes.
• Facilitate multidisciplinary communication and patient-care meetings, including case conferences, family meetings, and rounds; use the information to assess and reassess care needs.
• Explain the Social Work role to healthcare-team staff and educate them about its scope.
• Involve patients in care planning and goal setting and document informed consent.
• Apply knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan, human development, and relevant cultural information when assessing and serving patients.
• Use knowledge of patients’ cultural, religious, ethnic, and social systems in interactions, care planning, and education.
• Understand programs and eligibility, obtain appropriate resources and services, educate others, identify resource gaps, and suggest alternatives.
• Help patients adjust to illness, disability, or trauma by addressing biopsychosocial issues and enhancing problem-solving and coping skills.
• Evaluate emotional factors and the impact of health issues, help patients identify disruptive factors, and establish treatment goals.

Benefits

• Social security replacement retirement plan with 3% employer contribution.
• On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes.
• Community resource navigation support.
• Childcare discount programs.
• Discounts and exclusive perks on large brands and travel.
• Tuition assistance and education and development opportunities, including career pathways, coaching, and professional development.
• Loan forgiveness eligibility.
• Employer contributions and nationally recognized well-being programs.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level