I Accountability Objectives:
The Social Worker functions as a multidisciplinary team member who provides direct clinical services and
interventions to patients, families and significant others from newborn through the end of life. The social worker
assists patients and families with disabilities, adjustments to illness, personal, financial and environmental difficulties
which may predispose illness and interfere with obtaining an optimal level of medical care and quality of life. They
provide comfort, support, emotional counseling, short-term triage, and crisis intervention to patients and their families
when needed,
II Position Qualifications:
Minimum Education, Licensure / Certification and Experience Required.
A. Education
Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work or equivalent.
Documentation of ongoing continuous education specific to Social Work and Palliative Care.
B. Licensure / Certification
Licensed Masters Social Worker in the State of Michigan
C Special Skill / Aptitudes
Must possess high level of analytical ability necessary to identify and plan for the resolution of difficult
psychosocial illness related problems
Must possess a high level of interpersonal skills necessary to provide counseling to patients and their
families on psychosocial illness and related problems.
Must possess leadership and group work ability necessary to function in a shared governance department
structure.
Excellent customer service orientation skills necessary in order to deal effectively with various levels of
hospital personnel, outside customers and community groups.
II Position Qualifications:
Minimum Education, Licensure / Certification and Experience Required.
D. Experience
Must have good knowledge of the principles and practices of social work. Will be expected to utilize a
variety of highly developed skills in individual and/or group methods.
Must have a good knowledge of the impact of illness on to patient and family as well as an understanding of
age specific needs and cultural differences.
Work requires some knowledge of health care, community resources, illness and disease, and medical
terminology associated with the services on the patient care unit(s).
III Duties / Responsibilities:
1 Collaborates with the medical staff by providing a comprehensive clinical , social and lethality assessment in
order to develop an appropriate plan of care of the newborn through the end of life.
2 Participates as a multidisciplinary team member by relaying clinical lethality evaluation and education
information to all health care providers to facilitate the safety for all staff and patients and ensure proper
management and plan of care with patients.
3 Assesses, directs and provides referral information to patients and their families to community agencies for
short and long term assistance. In addition, maintains a strong and ongoing working relationship with these
agencies.
4 Provides clinical assessment information to insurance companies in order to obtain authorization for
Behavioral Medicine admissions in both an inpatient and outpatient setting.
5 Utilizes specialized clinical skills to evaluate assessment information gathered specific to lethality (i.e.:
suicidal/homicidal) to determine if patients meet involuntary psychiatric hospitalization requirements under
the State of Michigan Mental Health Code.
6 Provides coverage by phone to community during day and afternoon shifts.
7 Provides and documents in the electronic medical record consultative clinical services delivered to each
patient. Ensures documentation of assessment, plan of care and follow up are accurately completed and
demonstrate ongoing support to the care of the patient during their hospital admission.
8 Assumes responsibility for welfare of others through the initiation of: child abuse referrals, adult protective
services referrals, and guardianship petitions. Performs the assessment, initiates referrals and appears in court
as subpoenaed by the system.
9 Provides coverage in the Emergency Department, Emergency Transition unit, clinics and all inpatient units
when needed to meet the social aspects of care for all populations.
10 Works collaboratively with other members of the health care team, including medical staff, case management,
pain and palliative care members, Hospice and other community agencies to provide support and ongoing
planning for psychosocial aspects of care
11 Develops and conducts one ducational inservices related to a patients psychosocial care and/or illness, as well
as community resources that are available in the community.
12 Provides orientation to new employees and/or supervises social work/medical students during their clinical
rotations. Participates in department councils, projects and work groups.
13 Member of the Palliative care team.
Demonstrates and actively promotes an understanding and commitment to the mission of St. Joseph Mercy
Oakland through performing behaviors consistent with the Trinity Health Values.
Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations, the Trinity
Health Organizational Integrity Program, including the Standards of Conduct, Code of Ethics, as well as
other policies and procedures in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical and
professional behaviors.
Supports and conducts one's self in a manner consistent with customer service expectations.
In accordance with unit or departmental practice, determines that appropriate charges have been entered for the
correct patient, encounter, date/time of service, with any required modifiers. Make corrections as needed per
charge capture policy/practice.
In accordance with unit or departmental practice, actively participates in on-going education and
communication regarding revenue management.
In accordance with unit or departmental practice, assists with tracking and monitoring of equipment assigned
to the unit. Requests services for maintaining equipment as needed.
In accordance with unit or departmental practice, proficient with the electronic health records for
documentation, assessment, and care management, performing these activities concurrently with provision of
care throughout the shift.
IV Dept/Unit Specific:
Not Applicable
V Working Conditions:
• Normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like.
• Involves walking about the hospital and attending meetings at outside agencies.
• Working in a patient care environment may result in exposure to communicable disease and other hazardous
substances.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.