Social Worker, Emergency Department

The primary role of the social worker will be to provide referral to patients and their families in our Emergency Department for dispositional levels of care. The social worker will coordinate discharge plans for patients through collaboration with the multidisciplinary patient care team as well as with external health care organizations and professionals before, during, and after discharge or transfers. The social worker will provide behavioral health / substance abuse treatment options, by securing inpatient facility beds, obtain authorizations for patients specifically in the ED as well as the inpatient floors. If higher levels of care are not deemed necessary, social worker will provide outpatient, mental health and addiction or step down referrals for patients and families as necessary. The social worker will assist case management on the inpatient floors with patients with challenging dispositions and assist with securing placement as well as community resources. In addition, the social worker will be available to conduct behavioral health consults as needed. The behavioral health consults will require determination as to the need for voluntary versus certifications for levels of care and treatment. In addition, the social worker will assess, develop, and implement plans for psychosocial and behavioral health needs for the Women Newborn Care Unit with maternal and child health resources in collaboration with the complex care medical social worker. This social worker position will provide coverage of services for the complex care medical social worker position during absences, collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to optimize wellness and outcomes for identified patients. The social worker position works under the supervision of the director of community health integration and in close collaboration with the case management department, complex care medical social worker, community health team, family home visiting and other behavioral health consultants. The social worker dispositions are based on bio-psycho-social assessments as well as utilizing communication skills to seek information as necessary from providers, community mental health organizations and families to best serve our patients and which will enable the social worker to identify problems related to the total well-being of the patient.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Master of Social Work or Mental Health Counseling preferred. Licensed in Rhode Island according to discipline
• One year psychiatric experience is required, preferably in Emergency Services
• Experience working with adult age patients providing mental health and substance use
• Experience working in at least one of the following areas : community health setting, integrated behavioral health, or chronic care management program
• Proficiency in the use of computers, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite and EHR software
• Certification in Chemical Dependency or Substance Abuse Counseling (LCDP) a plus

Success Factors Broad knowledge of social work practice, population health and clinical practices for adults and families; Evidence of continuing education and professional development; Previous excellence in maintaining customer-focused quality care; Excellent interpersonal, prioritization, organizational, and critical thinking skills.