Social Worker, Senior Behavioral Health Unit, 40 Hours a Week

At Bristol Health, we begin each day caring today for your tomorrow. We have been an integral part of our community for the past 100 years. We are dedicated to providing the best possible care and service to our patients, residents and families. We are committed to provide compassionate, quality care at all times and to uphold our values of Communication, Accountability, Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.). We are Magnet ® and received the 2020 Press Ganey Leading Innovator award for our rapid adoption and implementation of healthcare solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use your expertise, compassion, and kindness to transform the patient experience. Make a difference. Make Bristol Health your choice.

Based on intake data, interviews, history and other clinical information, assesses patient's needs for psychiatric and other mental health related services on the Senior Behavioral Health Unit. Chooses appropriate therapeutic modalities, and develops and implements treatment plans and goals designed to relieve symptoms and enhance patient/family well-being.

Essential Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Collaborates with other disciplines in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of Geriatric patient care.
• Assesses all assigned patients clinically and psychosocially within 24 hours of admission or within unit guidelines for patient assessment.
• Completes a family assessment on each assigned patient within one week of the treatment team’s recommendation.
• Collaborates with team regarding plan of treatment in an on-going, timely manner (i.e., crisis information immediately, non-crisis information within 24 hours).
• Participates with the multidisciplinary team in the development of patient-specific treatment plan.
• Participates in the ongoing reassessment and revision of the treatment plan for assigned patients.
• Communicates treatment plan, as necessary, with changing patient status.
• Revises treatment plan, as necessary, with changing patient status.
• Coordinates the treatment approaches of other disciplines with current treatment plan.
  
  

Provides direct care with assigned Geriatric patients utilizing therapeutic and supportive techniques designed to relieve symptoms, restore patient to adequate independent functioning and to re-establish adequate family and social functioning.

• Evaluates the effect of intervention.
• Communicates the effect of their interventions to the treatment team.
• Individualizes treatment plan based on individual/family needs.
• Provides group interventions, as assigned.
• Initiates milieu-based interventions for all patients, when appropriate.
• Evaluates patients daily for needed interventions.
• Maintains a continuity of patient care coordinated with other disciplines.
• Responds appropriately and effectively with crisis intervention.
• Develops a therapeutic and supportive relationship with patients and families in accordance with professional standards.
• Initiates a variety of therapeutic modalities, based on the patient and community contacts.
• Implements discharge planning, which included patient, family and community contacts.
• Coordinates inter-agency transfers, follow-up appointments and transportation arrangements to meet the patient/family needs.
• Provides instructions or resource referrals, which meet the patient/family needs.
  
  

Maintains all records and documentation according to policy and procedure

• Documents every assessment made of a patient or family at the time of that assessment.
• Documents all patient or family interventions at the time of occurrence.
• Documents every group session for which one holds primary responsibility at the time of occurrence.
• Documents all recommendations for changes in the treatment plan.
  
  

Accepts accountability/responsibility for performance.

• Follows all unit, hospital and regulatory agency policies, procedures and standards.
• Performs all duties in an independent manner, with little or no need for direct supervision.
• Maintains complete accountability for all actions taken.
• Demonstrates flexibility, and adjusts schedule to workload.
• Evaluates the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of care being provided to patients.
• Recommends monitoring or evaluation tools and procedures.
• Assists with the orientation and training of new or inexperienced staff.
• Updates self, regarding departmental and unit changes through attendance at meetings and careful review of policies, procedures and notices.
  
  

Assists with program management development.

• Proposes solutions to identified problems.
• Acts as change agent to implement solutions.
• Assumes responsibility for special projects, studies or joins work groups designed to improve programs or meet unit goals, objectives or standards.
• Informs supervisor of the status of projects, studies or work groups.
• Provides in-service education to other staff, when program changes require expended knowledge or skill.
  
  

Supports Multi-disciplinary Team Functions.

• Promotes an environment in which the patient care team can work cooperatively toward objectives.
• Acts to resolve conflicts.
• Uses tact, respect, sensitivity and a professional attitude when relating to co-workers.
• Offers only constructive feedback to others in a caring manner.
• Consistently acts as a positive motivator.
  
  

Maintains responsibility for own professional development.

• Regularly evaluates own strengths and weaknesses.
• Develops plan to meet learning needs.
• Attends available workshops, seminars and in-services to enhance clinical skills; within the budget limits.
• Remains current within the field.
• Seeks constructive feedback from co-workers and supervisors.
  
  

Educational / Minimum Requirements

Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW). Minimum of internship in a psychiatric setting in Master's of Social Work program.

State/Federal Mandated Licensure Or Certification Requirements

CT State Social Work Licensure (LCSW).

Bristol Hospital Mandated Educational Requirements

General orientation at time of hire. Fire/Safety/Infection Control annually. Other programs as mandated by Hospital.

Special Requirements

Position requires employee to perform group leadership and psychotherapeutic interventions. A minimum attendance of 75% at both group supervision and clinical supervision is also required.

Physical Requirements

This position requires frequent walking, standing, and sitting. Occasional physical requirements involve bending, stooping, stair climbing, kneeling, and light lifting. Activities such as climbing ladders, crouching, balancing, reaching, and twisting, and looking at computer monitor are limited.

Work Environment

Normal office environment with occasional traveling to other agencies and institutions. Involves high interaction with patients and staff in a stressful, psychiatric milieu. Requires knowledge in the use of dictating equipment, fax machines and copiers.

Cognitive Requirements

Excellent comprehension, written and verbal skills; able to organize, synthesize and utilize data. Requires highly developed abilities to assess, analyze and interpret complex information from patients to be formulated into a theoretical framework for the patients' treatment. Make professional/ethical judgments. High level of emotional stability and maturity required.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.