Hospital Social Worker (LSW/LGSW)

HealthPartners•Hutchinson, MN

9d•$31 - $47•Onsite

About The Position

The MSW Social Worker provides patient-centered care management services to patients and families in an inpatient hospital setting. This position serves as an integral member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team and is responsible for identifying care coordination needs in collaboration with the inpatient and ambulatory care teams, along with the patient and the patient’s external support systems. Within the context of an interdisciplinary team, the MSW Social Worker participates in progressing patients toward discharge/next level of care by identifying barriers, implementing appropriate interventions, and securing transition plans that are aligned with shared goals of care. The MSW Social Worker will consistently and thoughtfully apply social work values and continuous quality improvement in daily work.

Requirements

Master’s of Social Worker (MSW)
Minimum of 1 year experience in a medical or mental health setting practicing social work
Current Minnesota license of Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
Knowledge of the values, principles, and methodologies of social work
Exceptional organizational and time management skills

Nice To Haves

Prefer 2+ years of experience as a social worker with hospital experience

Responsibilities

Conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments utilizing a patient centered, strengths based, and trauma informed approach to identify psychosocial needs, barriers to care, safety concerns, and discharge planning needs.
Assesses social determinants of health, support systems, mental health needs, coping strategies, substance use concerns, housing stability, financial challenges, and other factors impacting health outcomes.
Obtains and integrates information from patients, families, caregivers, community providers, and interdisciplinary team members to support assessment and care planning.
Collaborates with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized care transition plans that promote safety, continuity of care, and optimal health outcomes.
Facilitates referrals and connections to community resources, post-acute services, mental health services, and other supportive services as appropriate.
Provides crisis intervention, emotional support, brief counseling, and supportive interventions related to adjustment to illness, hospitalization, grief and loss, trauma, mental health concerns and life stressors.
Participates actively in interdisciplinary rounds, care conferences, and team meetings to advocate for patient needs and facilitate coordinated care planning.
Assists patients and families with advance care planning, health care directives, guardianship considerations, and identification of surrogate decision-makers when appropriate.
Demonstrates knowledge of community resources, healthcare funding sources, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations impacting patient care and discharge planning.
Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, families, healthcare team members, and community partners to support coordinated, patient-centered care.
Identifies and escalates complex psychosocial, mental health, or system barriers that may impact patient progression, discharge readiness, or access to services.
Documents assessments, interventions, care plans, referrals, and patient outcomes accurately and timely within the electronic medical record.
Maintains patient confidentiality and adheres to organizational, legal, and ethical standards of social work practice.
Utilizes clinical judgement, available data, and organizational tools to support safe care transitions and identify patients at increased risk for adverse outcomes or readmission.
Provide mental health crisis assessment, crisis intervention, suicide risk support, and coordination of mental health services in collaboration with care team.
Provides education, guidance, and support to patients/families/caregivers regarding psychosocial concerns, coping strategies, available resources, and post hospital care needs.
Serves as a psychosocial resource to the interdisciplinary team through consultation, collaboration, and informal education.
Participates in educational activities, presentations, or departmental initiatives, to enhance staff knowledge and patient care practices.
Educations patients, families, and health care team members on topics such as social drivers of health, mental health and substance use, community resources and support services, healthcare funding, guardianship, advance care planning, trauma informed care, grief, loss and adjustment to illness.
Develops and maintains collaborative working relationships with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, community agencies, and external partners.
Functions as an integral member of the interdisciplinary care team, contributing social work expertise to support patient centered care and effective care transitions.
Participates actively in department meetings, team discussions, quality initiatives, and organizational activities.
Contributes to a positive, inclusive, and respectful work environment through teamwork, professionalism, and shared accountability.
Supports departmental and organizational goals through engagement in process improvement and problem-solving efforts.
Maintains current knowledge of social work practice standards, healthcare regulations, mental health trends, and evidence based care coordination practices.
Demonstrates accountability for professional growth through ongoing education, licensure maintenance, clinical supervision, and incorporation of feedback into practice.
Participates in quality improvement initiatives, committees, and special projects as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.