Social Worker (Primary Care Clinic)

Job Summary

Works with other members of the interdisciplinary team to meet the social needs for patients and their families. The Social Worker in the Family Practice Residency Program plays a vital role in supporting patients and their families by providing comprehensive psychosocial services within a collaborative, interdisciplinary healthcare team. This position is responsible for assessing and addressing social, emotional, and environmental factors impacting patient health; offering crisis intervention and counseling; connecting patients to community resources; and advocating for patient needs. The Social Worker also educates residents and staff on social determinants of health, promotes culturally competent care, and contributes to quality improvement initiatives, thereby enhancing holistic patient care and supporting the overall mission of the residency program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (Required)
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in medical facility (Required)

Essential Functions

• Adheres to the hospital and departmental attendance and punctuality guidelines.
• Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the core values, mission and vision of the organization.
• Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures.
• Provide psychosocial assessments and interventions for patients and their families within the family practice residency clinic.
• Collaborate with physicians, residents, nurses, and other interdisciplinary team members to develop and implement comprehensive care plans.
• Offer crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and resource navigation to patients facing complex social or emotional challenges.
• Facilitate connections to community agencies and resources, including housing, financial assistance, mental health services, and support groups.
• Educate residents and staff on social determinants of health and effective strategies for addressing them in clinical practice.
• Advocate for patients’ needs and rights within the healthcare system and the broader community.
• Document social work assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the electronic health record in a timely and accurate manner.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and program development activities within the residency program.
• Provide culturally competent care and demonstrate sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds of patients and families.
• Support care transitions, including hospital discharge planning and follow-up care coordination.

Care Processes

• Treats patients and families with compassion and implements plan of care.
• Bases care decisions on plan of care.
• Monitors and documents patient response.
• Establishes rapport with clients.
• Adapts communication style, listens and responds to patient needs.
• Recognizes age-specific responses to treatment.
• Provides effective interventions.
• Respects patients confidentiality and privacy.
• Supports social, spiritual, and cultural needs of patients and families.
• Manages difficult or emotional patient situations.

Documentation

• Documents and submits required information and data in a timely fashion.
• Clearly and accurately documents designated processes, policies, products, service offerings, etc.
• Ensures that documentation is tailored to expected readers/users.
• Uses correct terminology.
• Conforms to required style and format.

Psychosocial Assessment & Management

• Provides for psychosocial needs of patients and families.
• Completes psychosocial assessment.
• Participates with other team members in planning care of the patient and family.
• Participates in finding alternatives to care when indicated.
• Documents appropriately according to policy.
• Develops, utilizes and maintains relationships with community agencies making referrals as indicated.

Additional Duties

• Adheres to the hospital and departmental attendance and punctuality guidelines.
• Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the core values, mission and vision of the organization.
• Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility to include any specialty certification requirements (i.e., self-education, attends ongoing educational programs).
• Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time.
• Demonstrates competency at all levels in providing care to all patients based on age, sex, weight, and demonstrated needs.
• For non-clinical areas, has attended training and demonstrates usage of age-specific customer service skills.
• Wears protective clothing and equipment as appropriate.