Medical Social Worker I

Description

Under general supervision, to make bio-psycho-social assessments to determine needs for intervention in a health and hospital or clinical services setting; develop intervention plans and provide needed services or assist patients, public health and other health services clients in obtaining needed services.

The established list may be used for full-time/part-time/extra help/pm shifts/weekends vacancies as they occur. Locations include O'Connor Hospital, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, St. and Louise Regional Hospital.

Typical Tasks

• Accepts referrals of patients/clients from health care staff and a wide range of public and private agencies;

• Interviews patients/clients of SCVHHS and other health systems departments;

• Obtains and assesses information provided by patient/client and other provider referral sources;

• Works collaboratively with patients/clients and their family toward meeting the need or resolution of the bio-psycho-social issues identified;

• Interprets available programs to patient/client and/or families;

• Educates patients/clients and their families on various programs and/or health-related issues;

• Advocates for the patient/client by helping them to navigate the health and hospital system;

• May act as a resource specialist in a particular area as appropriate;

• Documents assessment and intervention plan in patient's/client's record;

• Interprets rules, regulations, policies and programs for patients/clients, their families and the public;

• Establishes and maintains effective casework relationships and participates as a team member with health and hospital systems staff;

• Prepares case records, documents, reports and correspondence in a timely manner, as required;

• Makes financial eligibility determinations based upon documentation provided;

• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Possession of a Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited college; or, graduation from college and four years of social work experience. Graduate training in an approved school of social work may be substituted for experience. (One year of appropriate graduate study may be substituted on a year for year basis).

Possession of a valid California Driver's license may be required for some positions prior to appointment.

Some positions may require a background check.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, techniques and objectives of social work;

• Individual and group behavior;

• Human growth and development;

• Family relationships and systems;

• Bio- psycho-social-economic factors affecting individuals and families;

• Community organization and resources;

• Basic health and hospital systems organization;

• Laws and regulations common to social work practice in the State of California.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain rapport with patients/clients and their families;

• Assess a family's/client's adjustment to their condition by conducting a bio-psycho-social assessment;

• Maintain objective, appropriate professional relationships with patients/clients and their families;

• Utilize social work techniques and community resources;

• Advocate on behalf of the family/client;

• Work in close collaboration with physicians and other members of the health care team to further their understanding of significant social and emotional factors underlying the patient's/client's health issues;

• Prepare and present written and oral reports;

• Work within the written procedures and guidelines of the Health and Hospital System and/or program regulations;

• Maintain accurate records of social work intervention with patients and their families;

• Keep statistics on professional activities.