Inpatient Social Worker - Geriatric Psychiatry Unit

We truly value our employees and are committed to their success! We offer long-term employment opportunities with job stability, as well as support and encouragement for career growth and advancement. Our comprehensive benefits package includes Health, Dental, and Vision insurance, Paid Time Off, 9 Paid Holidays, a 403(b) Retirement Plan with company matching, and company-paid Life Insurance. Join our team and experience a workplace culture that fosters teamwork, growth, and support!

Los Angeles Jewish Health has been a trusted provider of senior healthcare for over 100 years, offering a wide range of services that prioritize excellence and Jewish values. We serve more than 4,000 seniors across our San Fernando Valley campuses, delivering personalized care tailored to each individual’s needs, from independent living to specialized healthcare programs.

The Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at LAJH is a leading facility for short-term psychiatric care, offering compassionate, specialized treatment tailored to the unique needs of seniors through a nationally-acclaimed model of high-quality care.

The responsibilities of the Social Worker include, but are not limited to: 

Responsibilities:

• Assessment/Reassessment: Assists in the completion of an initial psycho-social assessment within 72 hours of a patient admission utilizing input from the patient and patient’s authorized representative. Documents individual and group interventions daily in the attendance record. Completes progress notes including psycho-social evaluation weekly or more often, as needed.
• Documentation: Writes progress note on admission, weekly, upon discharge and as needed with new concerns, significant change of behaviors, response to interventions and when new interventions are needed as well as discharge plans. Completes daily documentation of individual and group interventions as directed.
• Discharge Planning/Utilization Review: Initiates discharge planning on admission and coordinates the discharge process with the patient, patient’s authorized representatives and other resources.
• Treatment Planning: Assures that treatment plans include appropriate social service interventions within 72 hours of patient’s admission and are updated with each change of condition, change in behaviors and at least weekly. Assures that the patient / patient’s authorized representatives are involved in development of the treatment plan and sign the treatment plan to acknowledge agreement with the treatment plan.
• Provides discharge planning and documents medical necessity.
• Assists patient and patient’s authorized representative select an appropriate after care placement when needed.
• Assist with therapeutic activities, specifically leading 1-2 patient groups per week.
• Manages unit case load in an efficient manner and coordinates responsibilities with L.C.S.W.
• Participates in development, review, revision and implementation of policies and procedures for the Acute Psychiatric Unit as needed.
• Conducts regular unit rounds with LCSW and other interdisciplinary team members as appropriate to identify care and environmental issues and implement corrections as appropriate.
• Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement: Actively participates in the Acute Psychiatric Unit Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. Reviews indicators for social service on a pre-assigned basis, makes any necessary corrections and makes recommendations for improvement to the QA and PI Committee at least quarterly.
• Assists with coordinating transfers to other acute psychiatric facilities providing involuntary care when needed.
• Assures security of environment to prevent exit of patients attempting to elope. Implements the facility procedure for elopement if any patient leaves the facility without permission.

Experience and Skills:

• Master's Degree in Social Work, with acute inpatient geriatric psychiatry experience preferred.
• A minimum of 1 year of hospital experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong preference for prior inpatient psychiatric hospital experience.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within (3) months of hire.
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training and Certification must be obtained within 3 months of hire.

Join Los Angeles Jewish Health and make a meaningful impact in the lives of seniors in our community. Become part of our compassionate team, dedicated to providing exceptional care and support. Apply today and start making a difference!

Los Angeles Jewish Health is dedicated to providing exceptional, comprehensive senior healthcare services, guided by our mission to deliver excellence in care for all, rooted in Jewish values. With over 100 years of trusted service to seniors, we continuously evolve to meet the unique needs of every individual we serve. As the largest single-source senior housing provider in Los Angeles, our San Fernando Valley campuses are home to over 1,000 residents. We serve more than 4,000 seniors through a range of healthcare programs, offering independent living options for those who seek the reassurance of support when needed. From adult day care to residential living, and short-term or long-term care, we tailor each senior's experience to their specific needs, ensuring personalized care at every stage of life.