Medical Social Worker

About the Role

Provides in-patient and outpatient mental health and/or substance abuse counseling and therapy. Assesses patient emotional, social, and psychological needs and determines appropriate intervention methods. Maintains related records and collaborates with caregivers, case managers, and managed care representatives.

Due to continuously changing patient census and staffing needs, flexibility to work a varying schedule is required, which may include overtime (over 40 hours per week) and extended shift durations.

Responsibilities

• Conducts diagnostic interviews and psychosocial assessments with patients and/or their families to gather data on personal, social, legal, medical, emotional, family, and socioeconomic history, as well as presenting problems.
• Develops, reviews, and revises treatment plans monthly or as needed, consulting with other treatment team members.
• Provides mental health and/or substance abuse counseling to individuals, families, couples, and groups using a variety of therapies and modalities tailored to patient needs.
• Delivers crisis intervention and brief counseling for employee assistance program clients as needed.
• Maintains clinical case records according to policies, procedures, and acceptable standards of practice.
• Collaborates with department staff to develop new programs addressing patient needs.
• Reports suspected cases of abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults to appropriate agencies and assists in investigations as requested.
• Oversees discharges, develops follow-up care plans, and makes referrals to appropriate community resources.
• Practices utilization management activities, including contacting third-party payers for prior authorization, periodic reviews, and reauthorizations required for reimbursement.
• Completes necessary documentation in a timely manner.
• Develops and maintains a network of community referral sources, including mental health, substance abuse, medical, financial, and legal resources.
• Represents the hospital in community networks and assists patients in identifying and using appropriate resources.
• Participates in community education activities and makes presentations as mutually agreed upon with a supervisor.
• Engages in performance improvement activities, compiles statistical reports as requested, and participates in staff meetings, clinical supervision, and other assigned meetings.
• Stays current with developments in treatment modalities, approaches, and regulations affecting social work practice in an outpatient setting.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work.
• Current licensure by the Board of Social Work Examiners to practice as an MSW in the state of Michigan.
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification, to be completed within six months of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience in a mental health or substance abuse setting.

Additional Experience

• Knowledge of social work methods, procedures, treatment interventions, and relevant legal regulations.
• Interpersonal skills to counsel patients (pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric) with psychological, emotional, and social disorders, as well as their families, and to interact effectively with outside organizations.
• Analytical ability to assess patients' social needs, determine possible solutions, and implement them.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to freely move about and stand for extended periods.
• Occasional retrieval of binders, files, or other materials from shelves or desks.

OSHA Exposure Classification: As required by infection prevention and control policies.