Transplant Social Worker

At Cleveland Clinic Health System, we believe in a better future for healthcare. And each of us is responsible for honoring our commitment to excellence, pushing the boundaries and transforming the patient experience, every day.

We all have the power to help, heal and change lives - beginning with our own. That's the power of the Cleveland Clinic Health System team, and The Power of Every One.

Job Title
Transplant Social Worker


Location
Cleveland


Facility
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus


Department
Transplant Center-Chief Of Staff Division


Job Code
T98821


Shift
Days


Schedule
7:30am-4:30am


Job Summary

Job Details

Join Cleveland Clinic's Main Campus where research and surgery are advanced, technology is leading-edge, patient care is world class and caregivers are family. Here, you will work alongside a passionate and dedicated team, receive endless support and appreciation, and build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.


As a Transplant Social Worker, you will support the Heart Transplant Program by conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments to determine candidacy for solid organ transplant and living donation. In this role, you will complete intake interviews and psychosocial evaluations for heart transplant candidates, assess mental health, coping abilities, support systems, and transplant readiness, and present your findings and recommendations to multidisciplinary Selection Committees. You will provide ongoing support to heart transplant recipients throughout their transplant journey, collaborate closely with physicians and interdisciplinary care teams, assist with transition of care for high-risk patients, recommend rehabilitation or counseling when needed for substance use concerns, and serve as a backup to support patients across other solid organ transplant programs.

A caregiver in this role works a hybrid schedule Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m., with the opportunity to work from home two days per week.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to determine candidacy for solid organ transplant and living donation.
• Evaluate patients' mental health, social support, functional status, financial needs, and readiness for transplant.
• Participate in organ-specific Selection Committees and present psychosocial findings and recommendations.
• Assess alcohol and substance use disorders and recommend rehabilitation, counseling, or treatment prior to transplant listing.
• Develop and implement treatment recommendations that address psychosocial, behavioral, financial, and regulatory barriers to successful outcomes.
• Provide crisis intervention, counseling, and emotional support to patients and families throughout the transplant process.
• Assist with transition of care planning and coordinate post-discharge services and community resources for high-risk patients.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary care teams to ensure safe, timely discharges and continuity of care.
• Educate patients, families, and physicians on post-acute care options, financial considerations, and available resources.
• Counsel patients and families on treatment decisions, advance care planning, and end-of-life issues while advocating for patient-centered care.
• Manage cases involving child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, institutional abuse, and sexual assault in accordance with legal and organizational requirements.
• Advocate for patient and family empowerment, informed decision-making, and access to healthcare services and community resources.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory standards, organizational policies, and professional social work competencies.
• Stay current on healthcare regulations and best practices impacting transplant and patient care.
• Support departmental initiatives through continuing education, professional development, mentoring, and serving as a preceptor for less experienced staff.
• Represent the department on committees and participate in quality improvement initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Master's Degree in Social Work or Masters of Science in Social Administration (MSSA)
• Licensed Social Worker in State of Employment (LSW)
• Obtain a state licensure as a Social Worker LISW or LISW-S within 27 months of hire date
• Advanced and able to practice independently in the state of Ohio per Social Work licensure law within 27 months of hire date
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as with teams
• Flexible, open-minded and adaptable to change

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Knowledge of community resources
• Hospital Social Work experience

Physical Requirements:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment.
• Requires working under stressful conditions and working irregular hours.
• Must be willing to be on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows Standard Precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substances.


Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility.


If applying for a Florida position, please see the following website for more information on the background screening requirements required by the Agency of Health Care Administration:

Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster.


Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment opportunity employer.