Clinical Social Worker (LCSW/LICSW)

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Clinical Program Manager for ED & Inpatient Care Coordination, the Clinical Social Worker works collaboratively with the medical, psychiatry, and system behavioral health teams on the Acute Psychiatry Service. The Social Worker may also provide coverage across the Academic Medical Centers (AMCs). The primary responsibility of the Social Worker is to support patient care by facilitating referrals, discharge planning, and coordination of resources to ensure dispositions are secured efficiently and that patients experience a seamless and timely transition to the next level of care. The Social Worker must have strong communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with patients and their caregivers, department staff, and unit-based staff. The position requires a high degree of flexibility and independence, as well as the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and address barriers to disposition in collaboration with patients, families, providers, and the interdisciplinary care team.

Essential Functions (Key Roles & Responsibilities)

• Manages patient disposition and transitions from APS, ensuring timely movement to the appropriate level of care.
• Develops and maintains an organized system for identifying appropriate community resources and programs, ensuring alignment with patient needs, insurance coverage, and geographic accessibility.
• Secures authorizations for psychiatric admissions and transitions and coordinates necessary paperwork with external facilities and the medical team.
• Engages patients and families with professionalism, providing education on available services and addressing barriers to placement.
• Actively participates in department staff meetings and daily rounds, collaborating with Consultation Liaison teams, psychiatrists, and the system behavioral and mental health access team to promote efficient coordination and effective patient care transitions.
• Coordinates the logistics of patient discharge, ensuring required paperwork is completed, follow-up appointments are scheduled, and transportation arrangements are finalized in collaboration with case managers and ambulance services.
• Ensures accurate documentation in the electronic health record per department standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Applies sound clinical judgment and professional values and ethics, integrating prior experience into current practice while maintaining appropriate boundaries in client advocacy.
• Demonstrates proficient working knowledge of internal and external resources, psychiatric conditions, treatment modalities, and community systems of care, with appropriate referrals as needed.
• Strong ability to advocate for patients, facilitate referrals, and collaborate effectively with families and providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Utilizes supervision and consultation appropriately and seeks assistance with complex cases in a timely manner.
• Engages in continuous quality improvement projects and uses data to measure progress and enhance patient care.
• Ability to adopt new technology and digital tools, including proficiency in the EHR (Epic) and strong computer skills.
• Exceptional ability to remain calm and focused in a dynamic, fast-paced environment while maintaining flexibility and resourcefulness.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to multitask effectively and work independently.
• Exercises excellent judgment and independent decision-making.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, along with outstanding interpersonal, customer service, and advocacy abilities.
• Experience working with patients in acute psychiatric or crisis settings preferred.
• Experience working with insurance networks desirable.
• Demonstrates knowledge, understanding, and ability to navigate and negotiate within a complex organization.

Additional Job Details

Social Worker I: Clinical experience in medical setting 0-1 year required. Licensed Clinical Social Worker [LCSW - State License] required. Social Worker II: Clinical Experience in a medical setting 2-3 years required. Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker [LICSW - State License] required.