PTSD Medical Social Worker - Part Time 48Hrs/Pp, Benefit Eligible - Bronson Methodist Hospital

Current Bronson employees should apply using the career worklet in Workday. This posting is for external applicants only.

About the role

Responsible for the delivery of social work services for a variety of patients including infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations across all medical areas of Bronson Methodist Hospital. Provides direct intervention with patients and families in areas such as mental health, suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, child/adult abuse/neglect, death/grief, crisis intervention, adjustment to illness, advocacy, and substance abuse. Partners with multidisciplinary teams to proactively support behavior management and safety.

In conjunction with assessment, provides clinical interventions and facilitates coordination of care for families and patients, including discharge planning. Collaborates with other members of the patient care team and external agencies to assess each situation and determine the best plan of care. Coordinates and manages systems and activities for referred patients to ensure timely discharge to psychiatric facilities, substance abuse treatment, outpatient services, and other appropriate care settings.

Responsibilities

• Work variable shifts (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8hr or 12hr), holidays, and weekends to support the needs of an acute care hospital.
• Respond to call downs—prioritize workload demands to support acute care call downs and codes (e.g., trauma, stroke, AMI, Code blue).
• Communicate effectively with distressed persons under adverse conditions.
• Cover multiple units (ICU, med/surg, specialty) and prioritize needs according to acuity.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the patient acute care model and coordinate reports for smooth transfers within the hospital, healthcare system, and external facilities.
• Reduce workplace violence by collaborating with hospital security, Risk, nursing, and other multidisciplinary colleagues to assist with crisis interventions using de-escalation techniques and behavior plans.
• Collaborate with hospital security and police when violent injuries (e.g., gun violence) present to the hospital to reduce further risk to patients, staff, and the community.
• Utilize knowledge of hospital-based programs, physician practice characteristics, utilization management, and professional referral networks.
• Apply empathy, crisis assessment, intervention, and counseling techniques to assess immediate social/emotional needs and strengths of patients, families, and staff.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of mental health and suicide, including basic knowledge of DSM V diagnostic criteria.
• Complete mental health assessments, coordinate with Psychiatry Consult service and community resources to facilitate psychiatric transfers or establish safe discharge plans.
• Assess when the discharge planning process is not progressing appropriately and initiate complex care meetings, reaching out to CM/MSW Leadership.
• Develop creative interventions and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team (e.g., psych, child life, nursing, PT) to address behaviors when limited or no placement options are available.
• Conduct brief solution-focused/strategic clinical interventions utilizing motivational interviewing.
• Complete legal paperwork to pursue involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations and probate court guardianship hearings; collaborate with hospital attorneys and testify when required.
• Apply specialized knowledge of chronic illness and its impact on patient mental health.
• Utilize knowledge of community service organizations (e.g., CMH, DHHS, shelters, transportation) and the types of assistance they provide.
• Work by consult (e.g., physician, RN, patient, family).
• Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and provide necessary reports to advance patient care.
• Collaborate with the patient care team to understand each situation from different perspectives and recommend or provide immediate treatment and solution-focused interventions.
• Identify needs, develop plans of care, and make referrals to community agencies and other healthcare specialists to ensure appropriate follow-up treatment and support for a safe discharge.
• Thoroughly document each case and enter appropriate information in the patient’s electronic medical record in an effective and timely manner.
• Participate in the development of departmental policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Identify and provide for the learning needs of patients, families, and healthcare co-workers.
• Assume responsibility for professional development, including required in-services, staff meetings, and completing all required competencies.
• Develop and support a positive work climate and overall team effort of the department.
• Participate in orienting new MSW hires when assigned, following orientation checklists, best practices, and standard work.
• Demonstrate commitment to providing outstanding customer service to all customers in a manner reflective of Bronson’s mission, values, and customer service standards.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work.
• 1-2 years of professional-level work experience in healthcare or mental health (preferred).
• Licensed Master’s Social Work (LMSW) or Limited License Master’s Social Work (LLMSW) in good standing with the State of Michigan; LMSW preferred.
• For those hired prior to 7/16/2024, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) certification is accepted.

Work Environment

The employee regularly works in a clean, well-lighted, and temperature-controlled environment. May be exposed to infectious diseases from blood/airborne pathogens. The noise level is usually moderate. May be exposed to threatening behavior or violence, as an acute care hospital is an emotionally charged environment.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. Occasionally required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Interpersonal Requirements

Demonstrates excellent human relation skills, including verbal and written communication, problem-solving, advocacy, crisis intervention, assertiveness, and empathy. Maintains a customer service orientation. Regularly communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with patients and members of the interdisciplinary team, including physicians, multi-disciplinary teams, finance, and management. Demonstrates effective skills in motivational interviewing, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Communicates daily with external customers such as patients, third-party payers, and community agencies, often simultaneously. Utilizes effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills as needed.

Benefits

Part-time, 48 hours per pay period, benefit-eligible position.

Performance Standards

The following performance categories and competencies are used to evaluate employees in this role:

• Documentation: Demonstrates competencies associated with paperwork or charting, ensuring work is documented appropriately.
• Judgment/Decision Making: Evaluates relevant factors and makes timely decisions that add value to services provided.
• Technical Skills: Demonstrates competency in required skills or tasks for the role.
• Teamwork: Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with others at all levels of the organization.
• Productivity: Achieves desired work results effectively and efficiently with minimal time and resources.
• Quality Improvement: Integrates quality control into the job and participates in organization-wide improvements.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrates appropriate communication skills with patients, visitors, coworkers, supervision, physicians, and others.
• Professional Growth: Participates in self-development and continuous education, including mandatory in-services and community service as required.
• Extended Roles: Performs extended roles such as charge or preceptor, with separate competency requirements for each.
• Customer Service: Adheres to customer service standards reflective of Bronson’s mission and values.