The Social Worker is accountable for providing assistance to patients and their families with personal and environmental problems in order to maintain maximum benefits from medical and welfare services.

Performs assessments to obtain information on home environment, family relationships, and health history, and patients' personality traits.

        Evaluates data gathered for medical plan of treatment, available social service programs, and knowledge of casework or group work and devise pertinent therapy programs to provide maximum benefits.

        Assists patients and/or families through various conferences to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations and instructions.

        Acts as patient advocate and participates in conferences on behalf of patients with other hospital personnel and community agencies.

        Provides advisory services on social problems, arranges for discharge or postoperative care at home or in institutions.

        Provides and coordinates discharge planning and follow-up to assure continuity of care.

        Provides counseling services to attempt to alleviate anxieties and/or fears concerning disabilities, disfiguring illnesses, or an uncertain future and to assist the patient in returning to community life.  Furnishes advice on financial assistance to patients or families during illnesses.

        Performs or assists in studies and research projects concerned with problems occurring in the field of medical social work.

        Prepares various statistical and follow-up reports for use in planning further programs and evaluating department's performance,

        Participates in planning educational and social programs with community agencies, the hospital, and home health.

        Serves as consultant and resource person for other medical team members on the social and  personal aspects of patients.

        Performs other related duties within the scope of the job classification as assigned.

Bachelors of Social Work Degree from a program accredited by Council on Social Work Education and licensure as required in state working.

        One (1) year casework experience in health institution, child welfare agencies, psychiatric clinics and family counseling services preferred.