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 assesses patient and family psychosocial risk factors, including prior functioning, support systems, responses to illness, coping ability, understanding of circumstances, and priorities or needs. The Social Worker works with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team to address identified needs, using medical record review, interviews, and team consultation. The position provides counseling and crisis intervention related to emotional, social, financial, and other psychosocial effects of illness or disability. It supports patient and family empowerment, participates in discharge planning, arranges post-hospital placement and services, and mobilizes family and community resources. The Social Worker also intervenes in cases involving abuse or neglect, domestic violence, guardianship, foster care, adoption, mental health placement, and sexual assault; documents care; coordinates referrals and communications; and maintains compliance with applicable rules and standards.

Requirements

Master's degree in social work.
Licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Work.
Able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a diverse population of patients, medical and nursing staff, and community agencies.
Working knowledge of community agencies and services available for the special needs of assigned patients.
Excellent interpersonal and counseling skills.
Demonstrates patient-centered and patient-valued behaviors.
For Behavioral Health/Psych Services only (Cost Centers 60630 and 89200): current Heartsaver CPR course completion card from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or Military Training Network within 60 days of hire and/or placement; current staff must obtain it within 180 days from 4/19/2023.
For Behavioral Health/Psych Services only (Cost Centers 60630 and 89200): Satori Alternatives for Managing Aggression (SAMA) certification, levels 1–4, before the first clinical orientation shift and within 30 days of hire or placement; current staff must obtain it within 180 days from 4/19/2023.

Responsibilities

Performs psychosocial screenings and assessments and integrates appropriate interventions into patient plans of care.
Evaluates psychosocial risk factors, support systems, coping, understanding of circumstances, and patient and family priorities and needs.
Collaborates with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team to address psychosocial needs, using medical record review, interviews, and team consultation.
Counsels patients and families about emotional, social, financial, and other psychosocial consequences of illness or disability; provides crisis intervention and promotes empowerment and independence.
Participates in discharge planning and implements the psychosocial plan of care to support timely discharge and optimal use of patient and community resources.
Plans post-hospital placements and services, including home, nursing home, rehabilitation, shelters, home care, hospice, and durable medical equipment needs for safe discharge.
Mobilizes family and community resources, addresses complex psychosocial needs and family dynamics, and educates patients, families, and physicians about post-acute options and choice.
Communicates daily with the interdisciplinary team about discharge planning, validates discharge criteria and plans, and reports newly identified resources or changes to plans.
Intervenes in cases involving child or adult abuse or neglect, domestic violence, guardianship, foster care, adoption, mental health level II placement, and sexual assault; serves as liaison between Parkland and CPS/APS.
Documents screenings, assessments, interventions, and outcomes according to established procedures.
Manages referrals and communications from patients, families, physicians, care teams, community agencies, and other sources, using or referring to the Patient Support Center as appropriate.
Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, procedures, laws, guidelines, and The Joint Commission requirements, and ensures discharge plans comply.
Maintains working relationships with management, vendors, hospitals, employees, and community agencies; keeps staff informed and conducts reports, rounds, and agency contacts to support timely discharge.
Reports assigned data, including services provided and applicable Medicare, alcohol and drug, adoption, and CPS/APS statistics, accurately and on time.
Identifies opportunities to improve work processes and customer satisfaction, recommends changes to a supervisor, and implements and monitors improvements as appropriate.
Keeps current with developments in social work through seminars, workshops, professional journals, professional organizations, and maintaining licensure; applies acquired knowledge to daily work.
Serves on assigned committees and participates in peer review, social work meetings, and other quality and patient satisfaction activities.