Medical Social Worker (Emergency Department), Full Time Evenings

Provides comprehensive psychosocial and psychiatric initial assessments as ordered or requested. Demonstrates a high level of clinical knowledge and assessment skill along with the ability to make treatment decisions without onsite availability of clinical supervision. Serves as a patient advocate and liaison. Takes a proactive role through early intervention and collaborative practice with RN care managers, staff nurses, physicians, ancillary services, payer sources and outside agencies. Works with payers and gatekeepers to assure necessary precertifications/authorizations for psychiatric evaluations are obtained. Works with families who are dealing with trauma, end of life and guardianship decisions. This position must be able to demonstrate the broad range of knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and service appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her area. Able to work in a demanding, high volume area that requires excellent clinical skills, prioritization skills and the ability to coordinate care and to communicate treatment recommendations and rationale to patients, family members, physicians and other clinical staff. Provides training for new employees joining the department and for MSW interns as needed.

• Provides comprehensive initial psychiatric assessments including formulation and treatment recommendations.
• Able to make an accurate DSM diagnosis that is consistent with the presenting problems, history, mental status exam and/or other assessment data.
• Demonstrates ability to analyze assessment data and to determine the appropriate level of care needed for clients with mental health or substance abuse problems.
• Assesses and provides both treatment and discharge planning services to inpatients who present with mental health or substance abuse problems.

• Effectively and accurately documents assessment data and formulation.
• Communicates results both verbally and/or in writing to the appropriate professionals and coordinates care for appropriate care delivery.

• Reviews patient data in relation to appropriate utilization of resources and makes treatment recommendations based on that assessment.
• Collaborates with the patient, family, members of the health care team and payer sources regarding appropriate level of care and/or alternative resources.
• Facilitates referrals as needed to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to facilitate access to services such as financial assistance and housing.
• Determines that insurance authorization is in place for professional and facility billable services.

• Provides crisis intervention and grief support for patients or family members involved in a traumatic incident.
• Coordinates the services provided to family members of trauma patients to allow the medical team to focus on the trauma victim.
• Ensures emotional support and assistance to family members.
• Provides information and referrals to family members and significant others.

• Experience with hospital discharge planning, case management, emergency department work preferred