Social Worker

Description

Social Worker

Howard University Hospital | Washington, DC
Full-Time | DCNA | Non-Exempt
About the Role

Howard University Hospital is seeking a compassionate and resourceful Social Worker to join our Case Management team. This position plays an essential role in supporting patients and families throughout the continuum of care by identifying psychosocial needs, addressing barriers to discharge, and coordinating the resources necessary to support safe and timely transitions from the hospital.

The Social Worker conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments, coordinates inpatient discharge planning, collaborates closely with the interdisciplinary care team, and assists patients and families with post-acute care needs. The role also provides crisis intervention, emotional support, resource information, patient and family case conferences, and assistance with ethics consultations as appropriate.
Key Responsibilities

• Conduct timely initial and discharge psychosocial assessments to identify patient needs and potential barriers to a safe and timely discharge.
• Develop and coordinate discharge plans in collaboration with patients, families, physicians, nurses, case management, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Document concurrent social work interventions and discharge planning activities accurately and appropriately in the patient's medical record.
• Maintain compliance with applicable state and federal regulatory requirements, including CMS requirements related to discharge planning.
• Coordinate referrals to appropriate post-acute care services and community resources, including home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term acute care hospitals, and other appropriate providers.
• Facilitate communication among patients, families, healthcare providers, and community agencies to address identified patient needs.
• Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, education, and resource information to patients and their families.
• Coordinate patient and family conferences and facilitate ethics consultations when appropriate.
• Support effective utilization of healthcare resources while helping to reduce unnecessary delays in discharge and length of stay.
• Work independently within established policies and procedures, seeking consultation when appropriate and keeping leadership informed of significant patient or program developments.
• Provide Social Work coverage during evenings, weekends, and holidays as assigned.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities appropriate to the position and department.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate will have strong clinical judgment, communication, care coordination, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across an interdisciplinary healthcare environment.
Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
• Current District of Columbia licensure as an LGSW, LISW, or LICSW.
• Knowledge of current CMS guidelines and applicable requirements related to hospital discharge planning.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with physicians, nurses, healthcare professionals, post-acute providers, community agencies, patients, and families.
• Knowledge of healthcare services and resources available within the community.
• Understanding of medical conditions and medical terminology.
• Ability to assess the mental, emotional, psychosocial, and physical needs of patients.
• Ability to maintain applicable professional social work, licensing, accreditation, and quality standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working as a licensed Social Worker, particularly within an acute care or healthcare setting.
• Current District of Columbia LICSW licensure preferred.
• Experience coordinating post-acute care and community-based healthcare services.
• Familiarity with Cerner/Sorian or similar electronic health record systems.

Schedule

This position primarily supports daytime operations, with evening, night, weekend, and holiday coverage required as needed based on departmental and patient care needs.
Compensation & Union Status

This is a full-time, non-exempt position covered under the DC Nurses Association (DCNA) collective bargaining agreement. Pay range: $35.60 - $57.41/hr, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Compliance Statements

Culture of Care: Howard University Hospital supports a Just Culture that promotes accountability, learning, and patient safety.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.