Medical Social Worker - MBU/L&D

Department Overview

The Medical Social Worker, as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, has the primary responsibility for assessment, counseling, care coordination, information/referral, crisis intervention, patient advocacy and associated services to patients, families, significant others and involved parties/agencies. The efforts are directed at assisting in the patient/family adjustment to illness, injury or disability and secondary adjustment to hospitalization or other treatment, and readjustment to the community. The Department has corresponding teaching and research functions related to health and healthcare delivery practices. The Medical Social Worker is expected to practice in accordance with performance standards, core values and with a commitment to service excellence. May provide social work services to patients in Adult units, Peds unit and/or ED.

The Medical Social Worker, MBU/L&D, provides direct intervention on an as-needed basis with infants and their families. This position supports a unit with a high census and an average hospital stay of 24 – 48 hours. The Medical Social Worker is responsible for assessments of need and CPS assessments and reporting. This position works closely with the medical team to support parents with Substance Use Disorder to engage in services and collaborate with safety service agencies. The MBU/L&D Social Worker regularly assesses for safety, coordinates care and resources and advocates for the needs of infants and their families. Knowledge of the Child Welfare System and familiarity with navigating it is a necessity for the individual in this role. The social worker offers bereavement support for families experiencing stillbirth or termination and facilitates adoption protocols that may require collaborating with outside agencies. This position partners actively with OB/GYNs, Pediatricians, RNs and Specialty Consult services to provide trauma-informed care.

Function/Duties of Position

Conducts psychosocial evaluations of patients/families and significant others including but not limited to the following: adjustment to medical or health condition; care coordination; mental health status; adjustment/compliance to treatment process; substance usage; child and elder abuse/neglect assessments; domestic violence issues; cognitive status (including potential guardian issues); and patient/family resources.

Provides crisis intervention and supportive short-term counseling to patients/families and significant others as necessary to meet immediate psycho-social needs including but not limited to: Trauma/Emergency Department/ On Call/ Family Notification, CODE Response (family intervention); unanticipated change in health conditions/suicidal ideation; teenage pregnancy; single parent pregnancy/parenthood, domestic violence, child and elder abuse/neglect.

Provides grief/loss counseling and education regarding fetal demise; actual/pending death of patient//family member; complicated pregnancies; postpartum depression; chronic/acute stress associated with life circumstances; divorce/separation; loss of independence associated with illness or disability.

Provides brief psychotherapy including individual short-term psychotherapy; group work including information/support groups, family support, patient therapy); regarding but not limited to issues of adoption, abortion, domestic violence, family of origin, sexual/gender, substance abuse, parenting, relationship adjustment to disabilities and chronic or acute illness. 10% YES

Provides patient advocacy and associated services to patient/family and other involved agencies/parties regarding decision-making; advance directives; ethics consultations; court holds; guardianship/conservatorship; citizenship cases; and social cultural factors.

Required Qualifications

A Master’s Social Work (MSW) required. Health care experience preferred.

Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required for employees who practice clinical social work.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 year hospital experience, preferably in a NICU or MBU/L&D unit.
• Either past employment experience with CPS or solid understanding of safety assessments and CPS coordination.
• Additional Details

Requires prioritization. Frequent interruptions in an evironment of frequent change and fluctuations. For inpatient units accepts accountability and responsibility. May be exposed to body fluids, tissue, possible radiation exposure, and infectious processes. Subject to computer work for several hours, as needed. Able to utilize office equipment within work area.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu