Social Worker II at MelroseWakefield Healthcare

Melrose/Wakefield Hospital, part of the Tufts Medicine system, has been offering the highest quality and accessible healthcare to the local community for over 130 years.  With two hospital campuses, Level III Trauma Center, Level III Special Care Nursery, Breast Health Center, Cardiovascular Center and over 20 locations and 50 specialties, Melrose/Wakefield Hospital offers many opportunities to grow your career.  

If you are passionate about providing care in your local community, come join our team at Melrose/Wakefield Hospital.

Job Overview 

This position provides a range of clinical social work services to patients/clients and families in inpatient, ambulatory and community settings utilizing individual, family or group modalities and practicing within the guidelines of professional social work ethics and standards. Participates in a multi-discipline case conferences.  Consult with agency care providers regarding social service needs of clients and families.

Why Join Us?

Minimum Qualifications

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

1. Provides psychosocial assessment of the individual and family, including limitations, deficits and strengths in their current situation and environment, as well as functional level.  May conduct a psychiatric social work assessment according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).  Develops treatment plans with appropriate and competent interventions. 

2. Responsible for psychosocial assessments and interventions in crisis situations that often involve issues of suicide, homicide, family violence, elder or child abuse. 

3. Demonstrates sound clinical judgment in assessing the patient's needs for long-term care, including evaluating the home and family situation, helping the patient and family to develop an in-home care plan, exploring alternatives to in-home care and arranging for placement if necessary. 

4. Provides treatment, therapy, psycho-education and/or counseling utilizing individual, family or group modalities.  

5. Provides information, referral and creative resource acquisition for specific individual and family needs both within the Hospital and in the community as indicated.  Assists patients/families to understand psychosocial factors impeding their maximal utilization of hospital and community resources. 

6. Collaborates with and provides psychosocial consultation to the health care team to promote a smooth, coordinated plan of care.  Aids the team in understanding and integrating the significance of psychosocial factors in relation to patient's illness, treatment and recovery. Identifies psychosocial issues that may impede progress.  Makes recommendations to the team regarding patient/family care and management.  Assists health care team to assist patient/family level of understanding to make informed decisions. 

7. Provides medical social services to the patient’s family member or caregiver on a short-term basis when necessary to remove a clear and direct impediment to the effective treatment of the patient’s medical condition or rate of recovery. 

8. Treats patients and families with dignity and respect at all times.  Offers time for questions and answers; demonstrates empathy in communication while working toward optimal health goals. 

9. Provides outreach, case finding/screening for high-risk issues that may impact on patient's progress, participation in plan, discharge or ability to utilize resources. 

10. Assists with discharge planning issues to ensure continuity of care.  Formulates, coordinates and implements the psychosocial components of outpatient care.   

11. Consults, collaborates and communicates with a wide range of social, governmental and legal agencies, courts, schools, clinics, other hospitals, physicians and other sources.  

12. Serves as a patient/family advocate with a variety of systems both internally and externally as required.  May be called upon to testify in court.   

13. Participates in social work professional education, supervision and teaching activities; supervises or trains staff social workers, student interns, house staff, nurses, medical students, and volunteers as required.     

14. Conducts or participates in professional organizations, grant writing, teaching, public presentations, seminars and workshops. May supervise staff social workers, social work associates, social work interns, parent consultants, house staff, nurses, medical students and volunteers as required.   Responsible for making recommendations to the Director of Social Work Services regarding service delivery gaps, systemic issues and program development. 

15. Ensures compliance within guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies (DPH, ERISA etc.) and demonstrates compliance with Home Health Foundation policies and procedures. Practices confidentiality principles set by the agency and federal HIPAA/HITECH guidelines. 

About Melrose/Wakefield Hospital

Melrose/Wakefield Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford are two campuses with one community in mind: the people of north suburban Boston.  Melrose/Wakefield Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital are distinguished by the range of high-quality clinical care and services. Our teams welcome everyone with hospitality and humanity. We focus on reducing health disparities through 40+ local health programs across a system of hospitals, urgent care locations, outpatient services, and community physicians.

Core to our values, Melrose/Wakefield Hospital’s commitment to community is demonstrated by our many local health programs throughout our service area and participation in partnerships with community agencies and events, and education programs in more than 10 communities to support the wellness and health of our residents.