Medical Social Worker (MSW)

Sign on Bonus up to $5,000

Position Summary: 

Supports psycho‐social needs of patients who are currently receiving hospital‐based care.  The Social Worker strives to enhance an optimized level of health and or recovery, provide interventions for populations ranging from infants to geriatrics, serves as a resource for the healthcare team, assists in identifying and facilitating discharge planning needs; and, provides support/interventions in stressed filled situations.

Education, License & Cert: Masters, Social Work The employee is expected to obtain a New York State required social work license within six months from the date of hire.

Experience: Minimum two years post graduate experience as a social worker in a similar type of healthcare setting is strongly preferred. Successful completion of a 6‐month hospital‐based orientation process is required.

Essential Functions: 

1. Provides psychosocial evaluation to meet the patient’s medically related social needs.  Such services include but are not limited to: a. Assessment of the social and emotional factors related to the patient’s illness, their need for care, their response to treatment, and adjustment to care in the hospital. b. Assessment of the patient’s medical and nursing requirements, home situation, financial resources, and the community resources available in making decisions regarding their discharge. c. Participates in interdisciplinary conferences to identify patients and families need if intervention. d. Identifies problems and develops an optimal discharge plan based on the patient’s needs. e. Responds to consults as required by policy.

2. Facilitates discharge planning to meet the patient’s needs for continued care (i.e., for skilled nursing, rehabilitation, acute care transfer, or other facilities): a. Identifying psycho‐social, environmental, and financial problems that affect discharge planning. b. Collaborates with the healthcare team in establishing a discharge plan. c. Consults with the RN Case Manager as necessary and requested. d. Keeps patient, family, and hospital provider informed of the plan. e. Completes appropriate, required documentation for transfers and discharges. f. Completes timely, daily documentation on acute patient’s status in the medical record with who you are engaged.

3. Documents appropriately to reflect continuous progress in the plan of care: a. Plan of care is documented fully as required. b. Content reflects adequate details to enable extended members of the healthcare team to remain informed and able to implement plan. c. Entries are timely, reflecting significant interactions/interventions that occur, by the end of each business day. d. Documentation consists of all required regulatory components.

4. Assess and facilitate financial needs: a. Utilizes various charity funds available in a responsible manner according to policies/procedures. b. Assists patients and their families with applications such as disability papers, etc.) c. Collaborates with patient, Case Manager, Business Office, outside agencies, etc. to facilitate meeting financial needs. Regulations, Laws, and Guidelines Maintains and implements rules, regulations, policies, procedures, laws, and guidelines including Joint Commission, that impact the Social Work field.

Other Duties:

 1.  Travel for this position is sometimes required.

2.  Participation in community and employee engagement activities is required. 

3.  It is understood that this description is not intended to be all‐inclusive and that other duties may be assigned as necessary in the performance of this position.

The pay for this position ranges from $26.27-$40.79 per hour.