Transplant Social Worker

Cleveland Clinic•Cleveland, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Transplant Social Worker conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments of candidates for solid organ transplantation and living donation. The role collaborates with organ-specific Selection Committees, presenting relevant information about candidates’ mental health, social support, and functional status to support informed decisions. The social worker also assesses alcohol and substance use concerns, recommends rehabilitation or counseling services before transplant listing when indicated, provides crisis intervention for patients and families, and coordinates transitions of care for high-risk patients. The position is based at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus and works alongside the Transplant Center’s multidisciplinary team. The role supports patients and families throughout treatment and discharge planning, helping address social, psychological, financial, behavioral, and regulatory barriers to successful medical outcomes.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work or Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA).
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of employment.
Obtain state licensure as a Social Worker (LISW or LISW-S) within 27 months of hire.
Exposure to and experience in pre-acute and post-acute care.
Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.
Work under stressful conditions and irregular hours.
Be willing to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Nice To Haves

Hospital social work experience.
Knowledge of community resources.
Excellent communication and negotiation skills for collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Flexibility, open-mindedness, and adaptability to change.

Responsibilities

Complete psychosocial assessments to support selection of organ transplant candidates and living donors.
Conduct psychosocial assessments and interventions, make treatment recommendations, and engage patients and families in treatment plans.
Help reduce or eliminate social, psychological, financial, behavioral, and regulatory barriers to successful medical outcomes.
Communicate discharge-planning status to the interdisciplinary team for referred patients.
Educate patients, families, and physicians about post-acute care options, freedom of choice, and financial concerns.
Participate in discharge planning to help ensure timely discharge and appropriate links to post-discharge providers and resources.
Provide counseling and intervention related to treatment decisions and end-of-life issues.
Advocate for patients and families.
Intervene in cases involving child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, elder abuse, institutional abuse, and sexual assault.
Support patient and family empowerment and independence in making autonomous healthcare decisions and accessing needed services.