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 patients’ and families’ psychosocial risk factors, collaborates with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team, and provides counseling and crisis intervention. The Social Worker also supports discharge planning and post-hospital placement, addresses complex psychosocial needs, and connects patients with family and community resources.

Requirements

Master's degree in social work.
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 from 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. Current staff must obtain it within 180 days from 4/19/2023.

Responsibilities

Perform psychosocial screenings and assessments, identify patient needs, and integrate appropriate interventions into the plan of care.
Assess patients’ and families’ psychosocial risk factors, including prior functioning, support systems, responses to illness, coping ability, understanding of circumstances, and priorities or needs.
Collaborate with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team to address psychosocial needs; use medical record reviews, interviews, and interdisciplinary consultation to complete assessments and plans of care.
Counsel patients and families regarding emotional, social, and financial consequences of illness or disability and other identified psychosocial issues; provide crisis intervention and promote patient and family empowerment and independence.
Participate in discharge planning and implement the psychosocial portion of the plan of care to support timely discharge and appropriate 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; educate patients, families, and physicians about post-acute options and patient 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.
Intervene in cases 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.
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, the 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, hospitals, employees, and community agencies; keep staff informed and make reports, rounds, and 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 opportunities to improve work processes and customer satisfaction, recommend improvements to the supervisor, and implement and monitor results as appropriate.
Keep current with developments and trends in social work through seminars or workshops, professional journals, professional organizations, and maintaining social work licensure; apply acquired knowledge to daily work.
Serve on assigned committees and participate in social work peer review, social work meetings, and other quality and patient satisfaction efforts.