SUMMARY: Plans, organizes, and implements social work services for patients and families. FUNCTIONS OF POSITION: • Interview and assess patients and family members to obtain information about home environment, family relationships, health history, and patient's personality traits. • Evaluates data gathered in terms of the medical plan of treatment, available community resources, and creates a plan that will provide each patient with maximum benefit. • Demonstrates competency to develop helping relationships with patients and their family members. • Demonstrates the knowledge of and sensitivity to a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. • Demonstrates awareness of personal and professional limitations as well as the limitations of the institution and makes referrals accordingly. • Assists patients and families to understand and follow medical recommendations. • Utilizes resources to help patient resume life in the community following discharge. • Communicates effectively with co-workers, medical staff and other departments for continuity of patient care, using verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills. • Participates in planning conferences. • Demonstrates an ability to set priorities in directing appropriate patient care, functions in an organized and time conscious manner and maintains complete accountability for actions taken. • Assist in developing discharge and post hospital care plans. • Collaborates with other hospital programs and community agencies with which patients and families are involved. • Prepares and maintains required documentation on each case. • Provides quality counseling and support to patients and families experiencing the crisis of injury and/or death. • Participates, as directed, in the Quality Improvement program of the Social Services Department. • Enhances professional growth and development through participation in education programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops. • Provides comprehensive social work and discharge planning services to patients, as referred to the Social Service Department. • Attends meetings and performs other related duties as assigned or requested. • Actively supports and promotes adherence to the policies and procedures of the Hospital and Social Services as outlined in policy and procedures. QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION: Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work required; MSW preferred, LMSW, or LCSW CREDENTIALS: As above. SPECIAL: PATIENT CONTACT: Must have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to patients and individuals of all ages and varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds on a daily basis. PHYSICAL: STANDING: Moderate daily. WALKING: Multiple times daily in all areas of the hospital and weekly about the community. LIFTING: Not required. VISUAL: Multiple times daily to read charts and documents, assist visually impaired individuals and research resource materials. HEARING: Multiple times daily to speak with patients and professionals, in person and by phone, and to assist hearing impaired individuals. SPEAKING: Required at all times by phone and in person to communicate with professionals and patients who may be hearing, sight, and speech impaired.