The Clinical Social Worker intervenes with patients who have complex psychosocial needs, require assistance with eligibility determination for social programs and funding sources, and quality for community assistance from a variety of special funds and agencies. In addition, offers crisis intervention to patients and families with psychosocial needs, and coordinates and facilitates the development of a discharge plan of care. The Clinical Social Worker coordinates resources and services in response to a patient’s psychosocial needs while collaborating with Case Managers, Nursing Staff, Medical Staff, and ancillary departments with the goal of supporting a timely and safe discharge and/or meeting the continuing care needs within the fiscal realities of the case. The CSW will practice within the scope of UCSF’s mission statement: Caring, Healing, Teaching, Discovering; and the values statement of UCSF’s Everyday PRIDE: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, Excellence.
The CSW will participate in department education and practice improvement activities. The CSW works in a collaborative practice model, facilitating care coordination with the multidisciplinary treatment team for care progression to optimize patient outcomes and timely discharge when patient is deemed medically ready. The CSW will provide social work services to any patient regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social, cultural, educational or religious background, language, age, ancestry, citizenship, color, national origin, race, presence of mental or physical disability, source of payment for care, medical condition, marital status or status as a veteran.
The CSW III (LCSW) has advanced clinical knowledge and skills and participates in leadership activities including advanced program planning, provision of educational programs, clinical supervision, consultation to the clinical team, other departments, and the community.
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:
At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, we understand that hospitalization, illness or injury can be extremely stressful. Clinical Social Workers are available in every area of the hospital to help patients and their families cope with a broad range of psychological stressors related to illness and being in the medical environment. Our Social Workers are part of the health care team to support patients through the continuum of care. At UCSF Health sensitive social workers in our Social Work department are available to assist patients and their families cope with the many psychological and social problems that may arise when facing illness, hospitalization and medical treatment. Our social workers act as patient advocates by serving as counselors, helping to find resources and solving problems. Any concerns related to the psychological, practical and social well-being of each patient or their loved ones may be discussed openly with our social workers.
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
% of time Essential Function (Yes/No)
Key Responsibilities
(To be completed by Supervisor)
30 YES
- Provide psychosocial assessment, crisis intervention, therapeutic interventions, education, referral, and linkage to community resources for patients and their families.
- On the basis of preliminary risk screening, assess psychosocial risk factors, including prior functioning, appropriateness and adequacy of support systems, reaction and adjustment to illness or medical crisis, ability to cope, and other biopsychosocial needs.
- Intervene regarding the emotional, social, behavioral, and financial consequences of illness and/or disability, including complex family dynamics affecting patient care, treatment, transition planning, or discharge.
- For patients with significant or intensive psychosocial needs, work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to manage clinical resources and care/transition planning.
- For inpatient services, assess, identify, address, and escalate barriers to care progression and discharge and work to reduce or eliminate barriers to timely discharge once medically ready.
- For outpatient services, facilitate continued care planning and linkage with appropriate resources and providers. As applicable to the clinical setting, meet with providers, the care team, patients, and families to establish goals and care/transition plans; participate in and/or lead multidisciplinary rounds; monitor care and discharge milestones; reassess psychosocial needs and plans as circumstances change; and complete required documentation in APeX and the medical record.
20 YES
- Serve as an active member of the interdisciplinary team, particularly for complex psychosocial cases, contributing to team goal setting and the plan of care through attendance, participation in, and, as appropriate, facilitation of multidisciplinary rounds and patient/family meetings.
- Participate in discharge and continued-care planning for complex patients and facilitate coordination with post-discharge providers and community resources.
- Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary treatment team to support care progression, optimize patient outcomes, and promote timely and appropriate transitions of care.
- Coordinate and facilitate patient/family meetings and, as appropriate, support groups.
15 YES
- Intervene with patients and families regarding the emotional, social, behavioral, and financial consequences of illness and/or disability, including complex family dynamics that directly affect patient care, treatment, or discharge.
- Educate patients, families, and providers regarding post-acute and community-based care options and address issues of patient/family choice.
- Provide intervention and support related to adjustment to medical crisis and ongoing medical care.
10 YES
- Assess children, adults, and families for suspected maltreatment, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and other reportable situations and intervene and report in accordance with applicable legal mandates and UCSF policies and procedures.
- Screen and assess for suicidal and homicidal ideation and follow applicable legal requirements and UCSF policies and procedures to promote patient safety.
- Collaborate with UCSF Psychiatry, the Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT), and other appropriate teams regarding psychiatric holds, complex behavioral health concerns, substance use concerns, and patients expressing suicidal or homicidal ideation.
- Demonstrate knowledge and appropriate use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and clinical skills related to mental health, substance use and dependence, developmental considerations, end-of-life/bereavement needs, benefits and entitlements, and adjustment to illness, crisis, and ongoing care.
10 YES
- Serve as a resource and provide counseling and intervention related to complex treatment decisions, custody issues, decision-making capacity, and end-of-life concerns.
- Clarify and identify the appropriate surrogate decision maker; facilitate completion of an Advance Health Care Directive and POLST, as appropriate; and coordinate legal processes when required, including court-order consent for procedures/surgeries and, when appropriate, application for probate conservatorship.
5 YES
- Comply with Department standards for timely submission, accuracy, and completeness of documentation in the medical record/APeX and collection of required statistical or workload data.
- Meet applicable Department and organizational documentation and performance expectations.
5 YES
- Attend Department, hospital, and community in-services related to the field of practice and, as appropriate, facilitate Department, hospital, and community education/in-services related to areas of expertise.
- Participate in quality improvement activities and program planning for the Department, Hospital, and Service Lines.
- Actively participate in hospital-wide and/or Department committees, including attending meetings, collaborating with team members, contributing to discussions and decision-making, and supporting implementation of initiatives that enhance hospital operations and patient care.
5 YES
- As applicable to the assigned role, provide oversight and direction for activities delegated to and performed by the Resource Coordinator and/or Patient Care Navigator.
- For CSW III: as available and under the direction of the Social Work Supervisor, provide clinical supervision to CSW II staff for purposes of LCSW licensure in compliance with California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) requirements.
- Participate in coverage as needed and assigned.
- Comply with all UCSF policies relevant to the scope of work.
100%
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LIVING PRIDE STANDARDS
Service Excellence
- Demonstrates service excellence by following the Everyday PRIDE Guide with the UCSF Medical Center standards and expectations for communication and behavior. These standards and expectations convey specific behavior associated with the Medical Center’s values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence, and provide guidance on how we communicate with patients, visitors, faculty, staff, and students, virtually everyone, every day and with every encounter. These standards include, but are not limited to: personal appearance, acknowledging and greeting all patients and families, introductions using AIDET, managing up, service recovery, managing delays and expectations, phone standards, electronic communication, team work, cultural sensitivity and competency.
- Uses effective communication skills with patients and staff; demonstrates proper telephone techniques and etiquette; acts as an escort to any patient or family member needing directions; shows sensitivity to differences of culture; demonstrates a positive and supportive manner in which patients / families/ colleagues perceive interactions as positive and supportive. Exhibits teamwork skills to positively acknowledge and recognize other colleagues, and uses personal experiences to model and teach Living PRIDE standards.
- Exhibits tact and professionalism in difficult situations according to PRIDE Values and Practices.
- Demonstrates an understanding of and adheres to privacy, confidentiality, and security policies and procedures related to Protected Health Information (PHI) or other sensitive and personal information.
- Demonstrates an understanding of and adheres to safety and infection control policies and procedures.
- Assumes accountability for improving quality metrics associated with department/unit and meeting organizational/departmental targets.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Keeps working areas neat, orderly and clutter-free, including the hallways. Adheres to cleaning processes and puts things back where they belong. Removes and reports broken equipment and furniture.
- Picks up and disposes of any litter found throughout entire facility.
- Posts flyers and posters in designated areas only; does not post on walls, doors or windows.
- Knows where the Environment of Care Manual is kept in department; corrects or reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate departments.
- Protects the physical environment and equipment from damage and theft.
OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- As intrinsic to the position this position is provides coverage for staff who are absent, and/or short term work on specific projects.
- As intrinsic to the position, Complies with Department standards for timely submission, accuracy and completeness of documentation in the Medical Record and collects all required statistical data.
- This position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Required For Clinical Social Worker II
- Master’s degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited school of Social Work.
- Experience through internship and/or professional employment in a healthcare, mental health, and/or child protection setting working with children and families.
- Experience with crisis de-escalation and trauma-informed care.
- Knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position, including knowledge of relevant community resources commensurate with illness, symptoms, mental status, and impairments in functioning, and knowledge of the medical and psychological sequelae and course of illness and their impact on social functioning, including application to pediatric patients and their families, as appropriate to the assigned patient population.
- Demonstrates resourcefulness, effective written and oral communication, diplomacy, and organizational and analytical skills.
- Self-directed, assertive, and creative in problem solving, systems planning, and patient care management in a high-volume work environment.
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams.
- Proficient pager/text, telephone, and computer skills, including use of the internet and applicable electronic systems.
- This position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.
Required For Clinical Social Worker III
- All requirements for Clinical Social Worker II, as well as the requirements below.
- Current license in good standing as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of California through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
- Three years of experience in a healthcare setting required; hospital setting preferred.
- Advanced clinical knowledge and skills appropriate to the patient population served.
- Demonstrated ability to perform leadership activities appropriate to the CSW III level, including advanced program planning, provision of educational programs, clinical consultation to interdisciplinary teams and other departments, and consultation to the community.
- Ability to provide clinical supervision, as assigned and under the direction of the Social Work Supervisor, consistent with California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements.
PREFERRED
- Current California State License of Clinical Social Work in good standing.
- Three years of experience in a healthcare setting required and hospital setting preferred.
- Experience working with pediatric patients, preferred.
- Second language, Spanish.
REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Required For Clinical Social Worker III
- Licensed in Clinical Social Work in the state of California/Board of Behavioral Sciences.
About UCSF
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.
Pride Values
UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California 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, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Salary Information
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
