Clinical Social Worker (A/B)

Tewksbury Hospital under the Department of Public Health (DPH), a 370 bed Joint Commission accredited hospital, is currently hiring for the position of Clinical Social Worker A/B (CSW A/B). The hospital provides a broad treatment of care and comfort to adults with medical and/or mental illnesses.

The selected candidate will work in the main hospital building, situated on the beautiful grounds of Tewksbury Hospital which offers a consistent location, plenty of parking and an easy commute, convenient to routes 495 and 93. The CSW A/B provides Clinical Social Work Services as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team to Medical Units at Tewksbury Hospital. The caseload includes patients admitted for short term, sub-acute medical stabilization, reconditioning, and physical rehab, as well as some longer-term patients, some with SORB status. There is a heavy concentration of patients with numerous and complex psycho-social components that impact on medical care and treatment as well as discharge planning. The CSW works with the Interdisciplinary treatment team contributing in case management and discharge planning services, as well as patient/family education, crisis intervention, high risk screening, psychosocial assessments, goal setting and planning, and documentation in the Electronic Health Record. LICSW Supervision is provided, as well as advancement opportunities within State Employment, and release time for CEU's. As part of the energetic and supportive Social Work Department, all CSW's share the responsibility of coverage to DPH units beyond their own unit as needed.

Please Note: This position is 37.5 hours per week, 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday off.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Complete a High Risk Screen on all new admissions within 2 working days of the date of admission to the hospital.

• Complete a Discharge Planning Assessment on all new admissions within ten working days of the date that a High Risk Screen identified a patient in need of post-hospital, continuing care services.

• Attend rounds as indicated and conduct other case finding activity to continually update the assessment of each patient's overall status noted in the initial assessment. Initiate appropriate interventions to address and resolve any bio-psychosocial stressors identified via case finding or referrals from other sources.

• Attend regularly scheduled meetings of the interdisciplinary team and be prepared to input information, advice, observations or suggestions to address patient care needs/problems that impact their level of bio-psychosocial functioning.

• Provide individual and or group counseling services as needed to assist patients and family members to cope effectively with stressors, crises and conflicts related to illness, disability and institutional living.

• Serve as the interdisciplinary team's liaison contact to the designated family member or surrogate decision maker to maintain easy and open communication and promote goodwill and high levels of customer satisfaction with hospital services.

• Document social work entries into the electronic medical record (EMR) according to the hospital and the department's policies and procedures.

• Ensure that patients and/or surrogate decision makers receive appropriate assistance needed to apply for and retain health insurance and disability income benefits available from state and federal agencies.

• Initiate discussions with patients and/or surrogate decision makers about plans for post-hospital care. As the primary contact person for discharge planning services on assigned units, work cooperatively and effectively with interdisciplinary team members to design and implement a comprehensive plan to meet the patient's post-hospital continuing care needs.

• Confer with patients about post-hospital, discharge plans in a caring, compassionate and respectful manner. Promote/encourage the active participation of patients and, or surrogate family members, in discussions about discharge planning.

• Educate patients and, as indicated, family members about services, program, benefits/resources available from state, federal and private agencies to meet patients' post-hospital, continuing care needs.

• Develop and maintain an up to date knowledge/awareness of health and social welfare programs/services/benefits appropriate for adults related to counseling, rehab, health insurance, disability programs, addiction, group homes, subsidized housing, nursing homes, assisted living, outpatient medical care.

• Coordinate referral information sent to community agencies/programs in a timely and accurate manner. Review documentation of patient care information to ensure legibility, clarity and timeliness.

• Coordinate the plans and schedules for durable medical equipment, supplies, medical appointments, skilled nursing care and rehab services to be in place to ensure the smooth transition of patient's discharge from the hospital to the after-care setting.

• Provide information, education, counseling services to patients and family members on matters relating to advanced care directives, health care proxy rights, legal guardianships, patient rights and medical ethics issues pertaining to end of life decisions.

• Ensure that disabled and seriously impaired patients receive appropriate assistance to resolve miscellaneous/situational needs and problems related to aging, institutional living and physical/emotional dependency on others.

• In collaboration with staff physicians, consulting psychiatrists and attorneys at DPH Legal Office, coordinate arrangements to apply for legal guardianships and Rep payee authority for patients who lack sufficient capacity to make informed judgments and decisions regarding medical care and financial matters.

• Comply with all applicable state and federal laws including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations which govern the privacy and confidentiality of information about patients.

Required Qualifications:

• Prior professional experience providing case management services to high risk adults.

• Knowledge of social and health resources the community available to high risk adults: mental health services, addiction services, counseling services, housing, medical care, health insurance, disability income, transportation.

• Ability to perform, psychosocial diagnostic assessments on adults with acute and chronic medical illnesses.

• Has basic counseling skills to maximize the cooperation of adults resistant to/ambivalent about change.

• Ability to use the DSM to help formulate a diagnostic understanding of behaviors related to mental illness and/or addiction.

• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with other health professionals on an interdisciplinary team basis.

• Ability to devise and implement comprehensive treatment plans to treat psychosocial needs related to chronic illnesses and permanent disabilities.

• Ability to work with objectively and professionally with adults who are uncooperative and resistive to change.

• Capacity to cope effectively with stressful situations.

About Tewksbury Hospital:

Tewksbury Hospital offers a broad range of services including a physician on site at all times, around-the-clock nursing care, rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, psychology services, social services, nutritional services, and an on-site dialysis clinic.

Learn more about our important work: https://www.mass.gov/locations/tewksbury-hospital

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

For questions about this requisition, please contact Employment and Staffing at 1-800-510-4122, option 4.

Questions or issues regarding access/login credentials to MassCareers, please contact the Mass HR ESC at 617-979-8500.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE: None. (See Required Education and Licenses.)

REQUIRED EDUCATION: A Master's or higher degree in social work.

LICENSES: Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

• Current and valid licensure as a Licensed Certified Social Worker or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Social Work.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.