Social Worker (LMSW)

Parkland Health

About The Position

The Social Worker performs psychosocial screenings and assessments and implements the psychosocial plan of care to ensure patients have sufficient resources and support services. The role evaluates patient and family psychosocial risk factors, identifies needs, provides counseling and crisis intervention, and collaborates with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team. The Social Worker participates in discharge planning, coordinating post-hospital placements and connecting patients with family and community resources. The role also addresses complex psychosocial situations, documents assessments and interventions, manages referrals and communications, and helps ensure discharge plans comply with applicable rules and policies. Additional responsibilities include reporting assigned data, improving work processes, maintaining professional knowledge and licensure, and participating in committees and quality initiatives.

Requirements

Master's degree in social work.
No prior experience required.
Must be licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Work.
Must communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a diverse population of patients, medical and nursing staff, and community agencies.
Must demonstrate working knowledge of community agencies and services available for the special needs of assigned patients.
Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal and counseling skills.
Must demonstrate patient-centered and patient-valued behaviors.
For Behavioral Health/Psych Services only (Cost Centers 60630 and 89200): must have a current Heartsaver CPR course completion card within 60 days of hire and/or placement in the job. Accepted providers are the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or Military Training Network. Current staff must obtain it within 180 days from 4/19/2023.
For Behavioral Health/Psych Services only (Cost Centers 60630 and 89200): must have Satori Alternatives for Managing Aggression (SAMA) certification, level 1–4, before the first clinical orientation shift and within 30 days of hire or placement into the job. Current staff must obtain it within 180 days from 4/19/2023.

Responsibilities

Perform psychosocial screenings and assessments and integrate appropriate interventions into the plan of care.
Assess patient and family psychosocial risk factors, support systems, responses to illness, coping abilities, understanding of circumstances, and priorities or needs.
Collaborate with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team to address psychosocial needs, using medical records, interviews, and team consultations.
Counsel patients and families about the emotional, social, and financial consequences of illness or disability and other identified psychosocial issues; provide crisis intervention and promote empowerment and independence.
Participate in discharge planning and implement the psychosocial portion of the plan of care to support timely discharge and effective use of patient and community resources.
Plan post-hospital placements, including home, nursing home, rehabilitation, shelters, home care, hospice, and durable medical equipment requirements for safe discharge.
Access and mobilize family and community resources, intervene in complex psychosocial needs and family dynamics, and educate patients, families, and physicians about post-acute options and choice.
Communicate daily with the interdisciplinary team about discharge planning; validate discharge criteria and plans and notify the team of newly identified resources or changes to plans.
Provide intervention involving child or adult abuse or neglect, domestic violence, guardianship, foster care, adoption, mental health level II placement, and sexual assault; serve as liaison between Parkland and CPS/APS where applicable.
Document screenings, assessments, interventions, and outcomes according to established procedures.
Manage referrals and communications from sources including fax referrals, calls, physicians, COPC Social Workers, the Care Management Team, health care team, community agencies, patients, and families; use or refer to the Patient Support Center as appropriate.
Maintain and apply knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, procedures, laws, and guidelines, including The Joint Commission, and ensure discharge plans comply.
Maintain positive working relationships with management, vendors, other hospitals, employees, and community agencies; keep staff informed, make reports, conduct rounds, and make agency contacts to support timely discharge.
Report assigned data, such as services provided, Medicare statistics, alcohol and drug numbers, adoption numbers, and CPS/APS cases, accurately and on time.
Identify work-process and customer-satisfaction improvements, recommend changes to the supervisor, and implement and monitor results as appropriate.
Keep current with developments and trends in Social Work through seminars, workshops, professional journals, professional organizations, and maintaining licensure; apply acquired knowledge in daily work.
Serve on assigned committees and participate in social work peer review, social work meetings, and other quality and patient-satisfaction efforts.