Mental Health Social Worker

Summary

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Obtains and synthesizes all bio-psycho-social information to appropriately assess, treat and provide a safe discharge plan for patients. Involved with assessment, counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, advocacy and family education as well as discharge planning and referral. Floats to all mental health units as assigned.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.
2. *Conducts psychosocial interviews of patients, their families, and collateral resources to determine presenting issues, potential causes and how these issues have impacted their functioning and health.
3. *Utilizes clinical skills to draw from all available information to form a clinical assessment that is both need and strength based.
4. *Synthesizes information to ensure that all risk factors, acuity, and all treatment options have been considered.
5. *Effectively utilizes professional skills and insight to work with patients that are in acute psychological crisis and may display one or more of the following: a lack family support, a lack of community provider network, minimal insight into their situation, or significant deficits in coping with their illness leading to poor follow-through.
6. *Provides consultation to colleagues and makes recommendations to the treatment team regarding the appropriate course of action/treatment.
7. *Establishes an interdisciplinary psychosocial treatment plan including both short-term and long-term goals.
8. *Promotes and teaches patients ways to cope with stressful situations while striving for practical and manageable solutions.
9. *Engages in discharge planning that identifies patient’s needs; obtains adequate resources for patient discharge; and provides for a safe post-hospital plan.
10. *Facilitates group therapy utilizing various counseling approaches that are appropriate for the situation.
11. *Supervises Masters Social Worker (MSW) students.
12. *Utilizes Trauma Informed Care Principles.
13. *Maintains patient medical records.
14. *Follows all rules, regulations, laws, and standards of oversight agencies; follows all policies and procedures as outlined by Bryan Health.
15. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.
16. Participates in meetings, committees, and department projects as assigned.
17. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk “*.” Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Maintains clinical competency as required for the unit including but not limited to age-specific competencies relative to patient’s growth and developmental needs, annual skill competency verification and mandatory education and competencies.
2. Knowledge of the principles and practice of social work.
3. Knowledge of theories and modalities used in the treatment of mental illness.
4. Knowledge of case management interventions used in the treatment of those with severe and persistent mental illness.
5. Knowledge of multiple levels of community resources to match resources with need.
6. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.
7. Ability to engage in individual, group and/or family counseling or psychotherapy.
8. Ability to coordinate the delivery of a variety of psychosocial services.
9. Ability to interpret and explain possible scenarios to patients and their families.
10. Ability to perform appropriate interventions with all age groups and with individuals of various cultures.
11. Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments and complete all documentation according to procedure.
12. Ability to work as a member of an inter-disciplinary team and act as a patient/family advocate.
13. Ability to practice proper body mechanics to ensure personal and customer/patient safety.
14. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
15. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel and medical staff.
16. Ability to problem solve and engage independent critical thinking skills.
17. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.
18. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.
19. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in social work (MSW) required. Current licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) and certification as Certified Master Social Worker required. Prior acute care psychiatric experience with the client population to be served (adult/youth) preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) – Characterized as sedentary work requiring exertion up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Requires ability to move between facilities, patient rooms, and medical center departments in order to meet patient and family contact needs.