Licensed social worker emergency department

• Assesses patient and family to ascertain those emotional and social problems. Utilizes the department’s psychosocial assessment tool as a guideline.
• Identifies those issues which must be addressed during the patient’s care, and formulates plan.
• Completes biopsychosocial assessments and other specialized trauma assessments.
• Provides trauma informed, strengths-based interventions on behalf of patients and their families.
• Communicates effectively and proactively with providers, nurses and other healthcare professionals and team members in the Emergency Department.
• Initiates and manages meetings with families who are dealing with catastrophic news: disease progression, traumatic incidents, and loss/bereavement.
• Supports patients and families who are in crisis; initiates family meetings with ED providers.
• Interacts independently and effectively with providers, nurses, and other ED healthcare professionals on behalf of patients and families.
• Provides case management and advocacy on behalf of patients and families.
• Collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams and community providers on behalf of patients and families.
• Assesses safety risks and provides brief, solution-focused interventions and safety plans with patients as needed.
• Uses techniques including motivational interviewing, reflective listening, and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral treatment to support patients and families
• Provides crisis intervention and problem solving support to patients and families in crisis.
• Provides information, referrals, and counseling relative to: health issues, child protection needs, family violence, illness, community violence, substance use/abuse, disabilities, mental health concerns, bereavement and family homelessness.
• Collaborates effectively with other BMC programs to support patients and families, including: VIAP, CVRT, Safety & Support, and Elders Living at Home.
• Collaborates effectively with community agencies: BPD, BHA, BMH, Elder Services, Disabled Persons Protection Commission, DCF, DMH, DDS, DHCD, and Mass Rehab Commission/SHIP program.
• Responds promptly to consult requests and referrals for social work supports.
• Reaches out ED staff for referrals if consult requests are completed.
• Uses clinical and time management skills to triage cases and prioritize patients with the most time-sensitive needs.
• Communicates with ED colleagues and Social Work Manager on call to consult on questions and concerns.
• Provides education, crisis intervention and emotional support to patients, families, and ED staff as needed.
• Develops and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Screens and assesses patients for needs regarding social determinants of health.
• Reports any and all suspected cases of abuse and neglect and follows up to ensure patient receives timely comprehensive consultations and compliance with legal mandates.
• Identifies need to involve patient’s family through the initial assessment process and attempts contact on same day, if indicated.
• Consults and collaborates with healthcare team members to insure that patient’s emotional and social needs are addressed.
• Provides for psychotherapeutic treatment and/or psychosocial support to patient and family to reduce the impact of identified problems.
• Ensures that inpatient and family remain apprised, involved, supported and treated through prescribed clinical relationship through at least weekly contacts and whenever a change in care or plan requires more contact.
• Utilizes Social Work technique and theory to assist patient and family in coping with illness or social problem to achieve improved functioning and emotional state.
• Begins assessment for an inpatient within 24 hours of referral and completes within two interviews or within seven working days of referral. Begins assessment for an outpatient as soon as patient permits and completes within two interviews. Completes assessment for an Emergency Department patient within four hours of discharge.
• Maintains patient confidentiality according to hospital policy. Practices professional discretion when determining the inclusion of any patient information into medical record or department clinical record notes.
• Notes in medical record the exclusion of critical patient information and its availability.
• Documents each patient encounter in the medical record or the Department clinical record concurrently according to Department policies. Specifically, documents ongoing treatment work in the Department clinic records. Each recording shall include date, time, title and signature.
• Work independently and initiates interventions with patients and families.
• Ability to triage cases when the ED is very busy; must be able to manage one’s own stress and anxiety
• Provides clinical supervision to other department personnel and graduate student interns, as assigned.
• Complies with departmental, regulatory and professional requirements for documentation recording, and data collection.
• Submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames.
• Maintains competency in areas of responsibility to ensure quality care.
• Attends scheduled staff meetings, individual/group supervision and in-service education program offerings with punctuality and consistency.
• Obtains continuing education units necessary to maintain licensure.
• Assists management in the operation of a quality department by participating in department programs and complying with department policies and procedures.
• Supports graduate and undergraduate training programs by supervising MSW and BSW students (per assignment).
• Identifies weaknesses in operation and recommends improvements.
• Works diligently on department committees, per Director’s appointments.
• Represents department throughout hospital and outside community regarding department’s practice and field of social work.
• Regularly maintains work area and equipment in a neat and orderly manner; assists in the cleaning and organizing of department on own initiative and reports any malfunctioning equipment as observed by supervisor.
• Maintains a complete understanding of emergency procedures.
• Conforms to hospital standards of conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
• Notifies supervisor when patients in age group not regularly served are present, and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.

• 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.

• Requires Master’s Degree from an accredited school of Social Work with experience in trauma informed care

• Requires a Massachusetts Licensed Certified Social Worker

• Previous experience with children and families, child protection, and child welfare required
• Crisis experience required
• Previous experience with vulnerable populations including: persons with disabilities, elders, persons with substance use disorders, homeless/unhoused individuals, new migrants, victims of violence and with mental health preferred
• Previous experience in hospital or healthcare setting strongly preferred
• 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.
• Advanced interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with providers, nurses, and other ED healthcare professionals on behalf of patients and families
• Ability to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Excellent English language skills to summarize and communicate orally and in writing moderately complex information in varied formats to internal and external customers.
• 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans