Social Worker - Per Diem

On our Psychiatric Unit, every connection matters. As a Social Worker, you will play a vital role in helping patients navigate mental health challenges by building meaningful therapeutic relationships, coordinating care, and connecting individuals and families with the resources they need to support recovery. Your compassion, advocacy, and clinical expertise will help create a safe, supportive environment where patients feel heard, valued, and empowered. Join a collaborative team dedicated to delivering exceptional behavioral health care.

In this rewarding role, you will partner with patients, families, physicians, nurses, and community agencies to develop individualized discharge plans and promote positive outcomes. If you are passionate about making a difference through human connection and helping people take the next step toward wellness, we invite you to apply.

About the Role

Primary department: Psychiatric Services, UHS Binghamton General Hospital

This is a per diem position, which means you will work on an as-needed, agreed-upon basis. Working hours will be assigned by your manager.

Responsibilities

• Participates and implements discharge planning activities for complex patients to ensure a timely discharge and provide appropriate linkage with post-discharge care providers.
• Receives referrals for complex patient problem resolution from Care Managers and other members of the healthcare team.
• Maintains accountability for the completion of the transition of the patient to the next level of care for assigned cases. Revises plan as needed. Updates patient/family as needed.
• Proactively identifies and resolves delays and obstacles to discharge in conjunction with Nurse Care Manager and Associate Care Manager.
• Maintains a working knowledge of financial reimbursement methodology for all payers to identify any financial risk/needs for acute care admission as well as post-discharge placement.
• Maintains knowledge of community resources and keeps a referral directory with updated information of available services and contact information.
• Assesses the patient’s and family’s psychosocial risk factors through evaluation of prior functioning levels, appropriateness and adequacy of support systems, reaction to illness, and ability to cope.
• Provides intervention and finds resolution for cases suspicious of adult/child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, sexual assault; requiring guardianship (temporary/permanent), foster care, adoption, mental health placement, advance directives, child protection.
• Provides supportive counseling and crisis intervention counseling for patients and families as needed.

Requirements

• Master’s in Social Work (MSW)
• NYS Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or limited permit (Note: Social Workers within the Clinics must have current NYS Social Work License; not a Limited Permit)

Qualifications

Preferred: 3 years post-graduate experience

Pay

$30.58 - $45.86 per hour, depending on experience

About the Organization

United Health Services (UHS) is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system in New York’s Southern Tier comprising four hospitals, long-term care and home care services, and physician practices in Broome and surrounding counties. UHS provides healthcare and medical services for two-thirds of the region’s population, produces $1.3 billion a year in total economic impact, and boasts a workforce of more than 6,300 employees and providers.

At UHS, our work is guided by our Values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation. Whether you provide direct patient care or support behind the scenes, you are part of a shared purpose: to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Every employee plays a meaningful role in fulfilling our mission—we’d love for you to consider joining us!