Social Worker (MSW) Inpatient

UNC Health•Hillsborough, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker - MSW (Inpatient) is a member of the healthcare team who provides comprehensive support and services to patients and their families. The role includes assessing patients’ mental, emotional, and social well-being; identifying needs and barriers; and collaborating with providers, patients, families, and the healthcare team on individualized, patient-centered care plans. The social worker connects patients with community resources, mental health services, support groups, and other relevant programs, including coordinating referrals and care with other providers. The position monitors care-plan progress and outcomes, supports appropriate care progression and continuity, advocates for patients, and helps coordinate care across providers and settings. It also involves building trusting relationships through active listening, empathy, confidentiality, and respect for patients’ individual values and cultural, social, and spiritual backgrounds. The social worker uses risk segmentation to help prioritize support, completes delegated interventions and follow-up work, and communicates with payers regarding service authorization, reimbursement, and documentation.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work.
Knowledge of mental health conditions, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based treatment modalities.
Strong assessment and diagnostic skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines.

Nice To Haves

Two years of healthcare experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ mental, emotional, and social well-being, support systems, coping mechanisms, mental health conditions, and psychosocial factors to identify needs and barriers.
Collaborate with providers, patients, families, and the healthcare team to develop individualized care plans aligned with patients’ goals, preferences, and values.
Connect patients and families with community resources, mental health services, support groups, and other relevant programs; coordinate referrals for psychiatric evaluations and medication management.
Monitor and evaluate progress on care plans, assess responses to interventions and outcomes, and make necessary adjustments in collaboration with the healthcare team.
Advocate for patients’ needs, access to treatment, and resolution of barriers or concerns that may affect well-being.
Listen actively and provide patients with a safe, nonjudgmental space, empathy, validation, and support.
Tailor interventions to patients’ individual needs and preferences, respecting their values, beliefs, and cultural, social, and spiritual backgrounds.
Build trust-based relationships with patients and families through empathy, confidentiality, professionalism, open communication, and collaboration.
Use risk segmentation to identify patients who may need additional support based on medical, psychological, and social risk factors.
Carry out tasks and interventions delegated by the healthcare team.
Coordinate delegated work, including referrals, follow-up assessments, and ongoing support for patients and families.
Coordinate care across providers and settings to support seamless transitions and continuity of care.
Communicate with payers to provide information needed for service authorization, reimbursement, or documentation.