Social Worker

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Provides case management and social work consultation within a multi-disciplinary team. Complete psychosocial assessments of patient and families, to identify barriers to coping with acute or chronic illnesses/disabilities. Develops and implements a plan of care that empowers the patients/families to utilize resources necessary to ensure medical care and achieve optimal psychosocial functioning.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Exhibits guiding behaviors that reflect Children’s values and support our mission and vision.
• Understands and satisfies the needs of the neonatal, infant, toddler, pre-school, school-age, adolescent and/or adult patient in regards to their growth and development process.
• Provide case management within a multidisciplinary team to establish goals and implement a patient/family plan of care. Participate in or facilitate multidisciplinary care conferences for patients. Participate in discharge planning by identifying and accessing community services and barriers.
• Interpret the psychosocial evaluation and assessment of family dynamics to medical, nursing, and other staff so that treatment recommendations are congruent with the family’s life style, strengths and barriers.
• Advocate for families to assure accurate communication of the electronic medical plan of care to ensure the most effective use of the medical care plan.
• Educate families in strategies that assist with coping of acute and chronic illness.
• Documents findings and recommendations in the medical record according to hospital and departmental standards.
• Support and contribute to program goals by presenting in-service programs to hospital professionals and community agencies to enhance understanding of the effects of acute and chronic medical issues on families.
• Actively participate as a member of the Social Work Program by regular attendance at Social Work staff and Patient Amenities/ Family Service Department meetings. Involvement in Family Service, Children’s Hospital and Health System, and community-wide committees as an advocate for change.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Master of Social Work (MSW) and Wisconsin Advanced Practice Social Work (APSW) certification/licensure required.
• Minimum of one year of social work or related field experience. Hospital experience preferred.
• Crisis intervention and basic counseling skills.
• Experience with the social, psychological and economic issues of children/families with severe, acute or chronic illness/disability preferred.
• Knowledge of structure of the child welfare system, guardianship process and community pediatric resources preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer skills and the ability to learn the CHHS database and electronic medical records, email and pager system.
• Ability to function independently, prioritize and manage time.
• Additional duties as assigned by department management

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• No reasonable potential of being exposed to blood or other high risk body fluids.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

We have Hospital and Community Based positions

Hospital Based Position Additional Details: 

The Social Worker  is concerned with the continuity of care which usually involves discharge planning, for children who are inpatients and their families, to ensure they understand and follow the recommended treatment plan, and referrals to community agencies and programs. Also includes liaison with community resources. The expectation of this position is to perform duties on an on-call basis.

Community Based Position Additional Details:

The position will mainly provide in-person psychosocial social work assessments while working with a multi-disciplinary team. Develop a plan of care that will empower the patients/families to achieve optimal psychosocial functioning.