Social Worker (MSW), Emergency Department, Part Time, Third Shift

UC Health•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

Social Workers in the Emergency Department respond to referrals from the interdisciplinary team. They complete psychosocial assessments and develop and implement plans of care that address patients’ needs, promote continuity of care, and facilitate transitions to the next level of care. They provide education and consultation and serve as a liaison to the healthcare team regarding patients’ and families’ emotional, psychological, social, financial, and developmental aspects of care. The role involves engaging patients and families, assessing psychosocial and mental health needs, identifying barriers to treatment, and supporting patient health and satisfaction. Social Workers develop and monitor interventions in collaboration with patients, families, and the healthcare team; provide counseling and crisis-related interventions; advocate for patients; coordinate referrals and discharge planning; and connect patients with community resources. They also educate and consult with healthcare professionals, contribute to department development and process improvement, maintain documentation, and participate in quality and safety activities.

Requirements

Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited School of Social Work.
Licensed by the State of Ohio Social Work Board as an LSW, LISW, or LISW-S.
Minimum 1–2 years of equivalent experience.
For employees working in UCMC Psychiatric Services, obtain NCI-APS (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills) certification within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

3–5 years of equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

Engage patients and families in the helping process and assess psychosocial and mental health needs.
Identify barriers to treatment, enhance patient health status and satisfaction, improve resource utilization, and build rapport for ongoing support.
Develop comprehensive intervention plans in collaboration with patients, families, and the healthcare team, and monitor responses to care.
Provide individual and family counseling and social work interventions related to complex crisis management, mental illness, adjustment to illness, material assistance, healthcare decision-making, sexual assault, domestic or partner violence, elder abuse, competency, and other psychosocial barriers.
Advocate, mediate, and negotiate to maintain or enhance patient health, improve social supports, and support safe transitions across the continuum of care.
Provide family education and education about advance care planning; assist with advance directives paperwork.
Initiate referrals to community resources and facilitate discharge to home or an appropriate facility.
Summarize the care plan with patients and families, address questions and concerns, and provide linkages to community resources and services.
Participate in evaluating patient outcomes and process improvements, and identify barriers in service delivery systems.
Assess transportation needs and arrange transportation as appropriate.
Facilitate referrals to disease-specific agencies, particularly for employment, financial resources, support services, and chemical dependency services.
Consult with and train medical staff and other healthcare professionals on psychosocial issues and barriers to improved health status.
Collaborate with coworkers and management on the ongoing development of the Social Work Department.
Participate in customer-service activities, staff meetings, mandatory departmental in-service training, and continuing education in-services.
Maintain positive working relationships with and knowledge of community agencies and services.
Maintain timely, clear, and concise documentation; write reports as needed; respond to email requests and provide information as requested.
Participate in quality and safety initiatives.
Perform tasks and responsibilities specific to the department, service, or clinic.