Job Information
Tufts Medicine Social Worker I, LICSW in Burlington, Massachusetts
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Job Profile Summary
This role focuses on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of patients and can provide services if necessary. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Social Work duties: Provides social work assistance to patients and families relating to illness, disease, hospitalization and life events in all areas of service as a member of multi-disciplinary team and in liaison with community resources. Responsibilities also include identification, assessment, and coordination of cases and anticipation of needs related to illness, hospitalization, finances, education, and home/community service. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. An entry level role that applies broad theoretical job knowledge typically obtained through advanced education. May require the following proficiency: work is closely supervised, problems faced are not typically difficult or complex, and explains facts, policies and practices related to job area.
Job Overview
This position oversees a range of clinical social work services to patients/clients and families in inpatient, ambulatory and community settings utilizing individual, family or group modalities and practicing within the guidelines of professional social work ethics and standards. Participate in multi-discipline case conferences. Consult with agency care providers regarding social service needs of clients and families.
Job Description
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Social Work.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
Provide psychosocial assessment of the individual and family, including limitations, deficits and strengths in their current situation and environment, as well as functional level. May conduct a psychiatric social work assessment according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Develop treatment plans with appropriate and competent interventions.
Responsible for psychosocial assessment and intervention in crisis situations that often involve issues of suicide, homicide, family violence, elder or child abuse.
Clinically assess the patient's needs for long-term care, evaluate the home and family situation, help the patient and family to develop an in-home care plan, explore alternatives to in-home care and arrange for placement if necessary.
Provide treatment, therapy, psycho-education and/or counseling utilizing individual, family or group modalities.
Provide information, referral and creative resource acquisition for specific individual and family needs both within the Hospital and in the community as indicated. Assist patients/families to understand psychosocial factors impeding their maximal utilization of hospital and community resources.
Collaborate with and provide psychosocial consultation to the health care team to promote a smooth, coordinated plan of care. Aid the team in understanding and integrating the significance of psychosocial factors in relation to patient's illness, treatment and recovery. Identify psychosocial issues that may impede progress. Make recommendations to the team regarding patient/family care and management. Assist health care team to assist patient/family level of understanding to make informed decisions.
Provide medical social services to the patient’s family member or caregiver on a short-term basis when necessary to remove a clear and direct impediment to the effective treatment of the patient’s medical condition or rate of recovery.
Treat patients and families with dignity and respect at all times. Offer time for questions and answers. Be empathetic in communication while working toward optimal health goals.
Provide outreach, case finding/screening for high-risk issues that may impact on patient's progress, participation in plan, discharge or ability to utilize resources.
Assist with discharge planning issues to ensure continuity of care. Formulate, coordinate and implement the psychosocial components of outpatient care.
Consult, collaborate and communicates with a wide range of social, governmental and legal agencies, courts, schools, clinics, other hospitals, physicians and other sources.
Serve as a patient/family advocate with a variety of systems both internally and externally as required. May be called upon to testify in court.
Ensure clinical documentation is complete and according to departmental standards. Perform other administrative documentation and record keeping, such as accountability and statistical reports, billing forms, student intern evaluations, performance evaluations, etc. in complete and timely manner.
Initiate policy and program development in specific service area or team, utilizing knowledge of state-of-the-art programs and promoting social work values such as patient self-determination and social justice. Initiate, participate in and support policy and program development in the Department of Social Work Services.
Engage in regularly scheduled meetings, programs and activities of the Department. Serve on departmental committees. Represent the profession and Department in hospital and community meetings and committees.
Participate in social work professional education, supervision and teaching activities.
Maintain collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.
Continually monitor, assess and modify social work practice and programs. Conduct quality improvement activities and research regarding service delivery and effectiveness of interventions, as required.
Conduct or participate in professional organizations, grant writing, teaching, public presentations, seminars and workshops.
Ensure compliance within guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies (DPH, ERISA etc.). Practice confidentiality principles set by the agency and federal HIPAA/HITECH guidelines.
Physical Requirements:
Normal office setting, work from home, and community locations.
Inpatient and/or outpatient clinic patient care setting.
Frequent sitting, occasional standing & walking, and lifting of 5-10 lbs.
Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard.
Requires ability to see computer screen and reports.
Skills & Abilities:
Possess and apply the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.
Knowledge of casework process and community resources in relation to health (including mental health), illness, and disability.
Knowledge of current social work theory and practice, the ability to apply treatment and case management methods, and familiarity with community issues and resources.
Diagnostic, treatment, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Analytical skills required assessing patient needs, to develop associated treatment modalities and to provide effective counseling.
Computer skills and knowledge of general office programs, spreadsheet programs, database programs, and presentation programs (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).
Ability to read/write and communicate in English.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to function well in very busy situations.
Responsible and reliable.
Good organization skills.
Ability to engage a wide variety of patients and collaterals in the acute treatment and discharge planning process.
Ability to identify and access community resources.
Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at careers@tuftsmedicine.org .