Social Worker - PRN - On Call (After Hours and Weekends)

At Children's National, clinical social workers are an important part of your child's care team. Our social workers know that your child's illness or complex medical needs can be challenging and stressful for all members of your family. Our goal is to provide you and your family with the support, resources and interventions that will strengthen your family's ability to cope with your child's illness or medical needs.

Position Summary

Fosters positive and professional interpersonal relationships with patients/families, physicians, hospital staff, community agency representatives and visitors. Provides comprehensive psychosocial assessment for identified patients and based on findings, facilitates interventions. Effectively uses interpersonal communication skills to resolve conflicts and promote healing environment.

This role requires a commitment to be on call for uncovered shifts after hours. Specifically, the monthly requirement includes covering two weekend 24-hour shifts and five weekday shifts from 5 PM to 8 AM. When called to work, on-site coverage is mandatory. After 5 PM, our on-site social workers provide support to both the Emergency Department and inpatients. The role demands strong crisis intervention skills, grief and bereavement support, and de-escalation skills. Previous healthcare experience is preferred.

Minimum Education
Master's Degree Social Work (Required)

Minimum Work Experience
1 year post-MSW experience as Social Worker or second year field placement in a complex medical setting (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to relate to divergent patient populations.
Sensitivity to individuals from varied backgrounds and cultures.
Must be licensed in the District of Columbia at minimum at the LGSW-level, be in the licensed applicant status as a new SW graduate with proof of pending DC licensure or licensed in another state with proof of DC licensure at any level.

Functional Accountabilities
Ensures Effective Patient/Family Plan is Developed, Implemented and Documented

• Facilitate interventions, based on assessment, family and staff requests, and timeframe.

• 2 Facilitate the child protection process of assessment, referral, plan, and implementation, if appropriate.

• 3 Provide follow-up services as appropriate and assesses outcome of interventions.

• 4 Document assessment and interventions in the patient's medical record, in accordance with departmental standards.

• 5 Provide comprehensive psychosocial assessment for identified patients and families

• 6 Develop plan for intervention based on assessment.

• 7 Use range of communication skills to assist patients, families and staff to address care needs and complex issues.

Insures Effective Multidisciplinary Communication Established Surrounding Patient/Family

• Educate staff about psychosocial issues impacting treatment plans.

• Organize patient care conferences when complex issues arise.

• Participate in team meetings to address general and specific patient care issues.

• Facilitate the discharge planning process by working with Case Management staff, nursing staff, and physicians.

• Communicate with relevant hospital staff about patient care issues to insure continuity of care.

• Advocate for patient and family needs within the hospital system.

Identifies, Utilizes, and Recommends Appropriate External Resources to Meet Patient/Family needs

• Research appropriate resources to assist families to care for their children at home.

• Share information with relevant agencies, respecting patient/family confidentiality.

• Maintain positive and effective referral relationships with community agencies and professional organizations.

• Advocate for patient/family needs within the community.

Removes Complex Barriers to Achieving Optimal Patient/Family Outcome

• Intervene in complex situations involving patient care needs, communication problems, or systems issues.

• Research appropriate solutions within the hospital or in the community.

• Mediate conflictual situations, collaborating with other staff as appropriate.

• Provide assistance to patients, families, and staff, while maintaining respect for boundaries and set appropriate limits

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance