POSITION SUMMARY:

Utilizing clinical social work techniques and theory, consults on, assesses, and intervenes with high-risk patients and their families regarding the impact/amelioration of emotional and social problems. Duties also include, but are not limited to, conducting psychosocial assessments, making a psychosocial diagnosis, planning and implementing effective treatments, evaluation, education, supervision, coaching and mentoring of the patient (client) and family members. The position consults with, collaborates and communicates with a wide range of social, governmental and legal agencies, courts, schools, clinics, other hospitals, physicians and other sources in the overall care of the patient.

Position: Clinical Social Worker - LICSW

Department: Outpatient OBGYN

Schedule: 40 Hours (Days)

8:30-5:00PM - Monday -Friday

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Clinical Care & Psychosocial Assessment

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments for high-risk OB/GYN patients (e.g., medically complex pregnancies, fetal anomalies, pregnancy loss, oncology, chronic illness, behavioral health concerns).

• Identify barriers to care related to housing instability, food insecurity, transportation, insurance, immigration status, safety, and financial hardship.

• Develop individualized care plans in collaboration with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.

• Provide brief short-term support for acute crisis intervention and warm hand off to IBH Clinicians.

Perinatal & High-Risk Support

• Support patients experiencing perinatal mood disorders, pregnancy loss, fetal demise, infertility challenges, and complex decision-making.

• Provide anticipatory guidance and emotional support around high-risk diagnoses and treatment planning.

• Assess and address intimate partner violence (IPV), child safety concerns, and mandated reporting needs.

Care Coordination & Resource Navigation

• Connect patients to community-based resources including housing supports, public benefits, legal/immigration assistance, WIC/SNAP, behavioral health services, and home visiting programs.

• Collaborate with outpatient clinics, primary care, behavioral health, and community partners to ensure continuity of care.

• Support insurance navigation and financial assistance processes.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Participate in huddles, case conferences, and multidisciplinary planning meetings.

• Provide consultation to medical and nursing staff on psychosocial, cultural, and equity considerations impacting care.

• Advocate for patient needs within complex systems.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete timely documentation in the electronic health record consistent with regulatory and departmental standards.

• Maintain accurate tracking of consults, interventions, and outcomes.

• Adhere to hospital, state, and federal guidelines related to confidentiality, mandated reporting, and patient rights.

Basic Needs & Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Intervention

• Screen for and address unmet basic needs including housing instability/homelessness, food insecurity, transportation barriers, utilities insecurity, childcare needs, and financial hardship.

• Provide hands-on resource navigation, including assisting patients with applications for MassHealth/Medicaid, SNAP/WIC, emergency housing/shelter placements, rental assistance, cash benefits, and financial assistance programs.

• Coordinate access to diapers, infant supplies, formula, car seats, clothing, and other essential items through hospital and community partnerships.

• Partner with community-based organizations, shelters, legal aid, and immigrant-serving agencies to reduce barriers to care.

• Advocate for patients facing systemic barriers related to language, immigration status, or lack of insurance.

Department Expectations – Social Work Staff

Clinical Assessment & Care Planning

• Utilize the department’s psychosocial assessment tool as a guideline to assess patients and families for emotional, social, behavioral, and environmental needs.

• Identify priority issues that must be addressed during care and formulate an appropriate intervention and discharge plan.

• Initiate assessments within required timeframes:

  • Inpatient: begin within 24 hours of referral

  • Outpatient: begin within one week of receiving referral

  • Emergency Department: complete within four hours of discharge

• Identify the need for family involvement during the initial assessment and attempt same-day contact when indicated.

Intervention & Psychosocial Support

• Provide psychotherapeutic interventions and/or psychosocial support to patients and families to reduce the impact of identified problems.

• Utilize social work theory, evidence-based techniques, and clinical judgment to assist patients and families in coping with illness, crisis, or social challenges to improve functioning and emotional well-being.

• Maintain ongoing therapeutic relationships through at least weekly contact and additional support when changes in condition or care plans occur.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Consult and collaborate with healthcare team members to ensure patients’ emotional and social needs are addressed in the overall care plan.

• Communicate relevant findings, recommendations, and next steps to the care team in a timely manner.

Safety, Ethics & Compliance

• Report all suspected cases of abuse or neglect in accordance with legal mandates and hospital policy and ensure appropriate follow-up and consultations.

• Maintain strict patient confidentiality and exercise professional discretion regarding information documented in the medical record.

• Document when critical patient information is withheld from the record and note its availability.

• Conform to hospital standards of conduct, including patient rights and customer service expectations.

• Maintain knowledge of and adherence to emergency procedures.

• Notify a supervisor when serving patient populations outside one’s routine scope and seek appropriate expertise.

Documentation & Data Management

• Document each patient encounter concurrently in the medical record or department clinical record per policy.

• Include date, time, title, and signature on all entries.

• Document ongoing treatment work in department clinic records as required.

• Comply with all departmental, regulatory, and professional documentation standards.

• Submit required statistics, reports, and records within established timeframes.

Professional Practice & Development

• Maintain competency in all assigned areas of responsibility to ensure high-quality care.

• Obtain required continuing education units to maintain licensure.

• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and in-service education consistently and punctually.

• Provide clinical supervision to department personnel and students as assigned.

• Support graduate and undergraduate training programs by supervising MSW and BSW students.

Departmental Engagement & Quality Improvement

• Assist management in maintaining a high-quality department through participation in programs, initiatives, and policy adherence.

• Participate actively on department committees as appointed.

• Identify operational challenges and recommend process improvements.

• Represent the department within the hospital and community, promoting professional social work practice.

Workplace Responsibilities

• Maintain workspaces and equipment in a clean, safe, and orderly manner.

• Report malfunctioning equipment or safety concerns promptly to a supervisor.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Performs other duties as needed.

• Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the hospital’s mission.

• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Requires Master’s Degree from an accredited school of Social Work.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Requires a Massachusetts Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Requires level of knowledge of Social Work process and community resources and agencies in relation to health, illness, and disability, generally acquired through one to two years on-the-job training.

• Knowledge of community resources and agencies that serve the children and families.

• Advanced interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with various healthcare professionals, to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families, and to supervise graduate students.

• Must be comfortable in a fast paced and dynamic work environment (sense of humor is valued).

• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of racial and ethnic populations.  Bicultural/Bilingual competency a plus.

• Computer literacy with ability to use standard word processing, spreadsheet programs and e-mail (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Outlook) and web browsers

• Bicultural/Bilingual competency a plus.

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), contract increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, earned time cash out, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family wellbeing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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