Social Worker

MedStar Health is looking for a Social Worker MSW (Master of Social Work) to join our team! 

The Social Worker functions as part of the interdisciplinary health care team and serves as a patient liaison between the hospital and the community. The Social Worker practices from a psychosocial perspective and has a key role in facilitating a smooth and timely transition between acute hospital care and post hospital services

Join one of the largest healthcare systems in the Baltimore-Washington metro region, also recognized as one of the "Healthiest Maryland Businesses". Apply today and learn how MedStar Health can be your next great career move!

 
Primary Duties: 

• Provides social work and discharge planning services including assessment, planning, and intervention. Identifies patients requiring social work intervention through established case finding mechanisms. Performs biopsychosocial assessments with patient and/or family involvement according to departmental policy and procedures. Develops effective working relationships with patients and/or family. Develops discharge plans responsive to patient/family concerns. Incorporates knowledge of biopsychosocial factors related to the ages of the patients served into the treatment plan. Counsels' patients and families regarding issues of emotional adjustment to the illness, disability, hospitalization, and/or discharge plan. Communicates effectively with health care team members and community providers regarding patient status, progress, and discharge planning needs. 

• Coordinates activities with hospital staff and referral agencies to facilitate patient care and departmental goals. Takes initiative and provides leadership in developing discharge care plans which align with patient care demands. Collaborates with members of interdisciplinary team, especially regarding issues of patient flow. Develops effective working relationships with health care team members based on an awareness of their roles. Assists health care team members in meeting interdisciplinary patient goals by engaging them in efforts toward problem-solving when appropriate. Coordinates communications between hospital system and community agencies regarding patients’ post discharge needs.

• Complies with departmental standards regarding attendance, documentation, continuous quality improvement, and statistical requirements, adherence to departmental policies and the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics. Documents Social Work assessment, plans, intervention, and outcome in the medical record in a clear, concise manner to afford communication with the medical team. Completes and submits accurate and legible required statistical reports and other departmental information requested on a timely basis according to department guidelines. Continuously updates and incorporates information regarding preferred providers and case management organizations and insurance companies into the transition planning process. 

• Supports and assists colleagues with workload. Identifies and reports opportunities to improve and barriers to department and hospital effectiveness. Engages with manager and/or peers in posing potential solutions to problems and participates in quality improvement projects and activities. Assists with orientation and training of new staff. Provides educational experiences by supervising social work students; making formal presentations within the department to social work staff and students; making formal presentation to other hospital personnel; serving as a consultant to peers and to other disciplines; and/or making formal presentations to community groups in accordance with individual departmental guidelines.

• Maintains current knowledge, certification, and licensure. Identifies learning needs in self and initiates actions to address these education needs. Attends continuing education programs to maintain certification. Attends hospital sponsored training programs as required by the department. Completes all mandatory requirements, certifications, and licensure within allotted time for completion. Works effectively within and between departments. Participates on inter-departmental teams and committees, communicating unit knowledge. Demonstrates a constructive approach during all interactions with staff, supervisors, and managers.

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's degree in social work with experience. 

• 1-2 years' experience.

• Maryland licensure as Social Worker.

• Master's degree in social work preferred.