Social Worker BSW
Alpena
Friday, 24 April 2026
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) plays a pivotal role in maintaining the quality-of-care patients receive during medical center hospitalization and post discharge. The BSW must have a high level of expertise and skill to create highly effective strategies for short-term and long-term goals in order to prevent readmissions and address unpredictable situations. BSW must be proficient in planning, executing and monitoring effectiveness of the care provided to ensure timely transition through the continuum of care. This requires effective skills in conflict resolution, decision making and team building. The BSW practices in accordance with the social work Code of Ethics and care management process utilizing tools, standards, models, goals and objectives, and performance improvement concepts. The BSW provides pertinent clinical data to outside agencies as needed to assure compliance with their requirements and represents the organization professionally. The ability to analyze, evaluate and distribute resources and educational information to ensure understanding of services to all educational levels is key to the role. The BSW is responsible for assessing the patient's psychosocial, spiritual needs, education and discharge planning needs. Responsibilities (30%) - Provide social work intervention as it relates to hospitalization including crisis management, health care decision making, illness adjustment, ethical/legal concerns, discharge planning, and transitional care needs, child or elder abuse, domestic violence, competency, financial problems, compliances issues, substance abuse, mental illness as well as other psychosocial barriers to maximizing health status. Administers patient assessment and writes evaluation report recommending treatment based on patient's needs and function level. (30%) - Work with health care team, patient, family and/or significant others to continually transition the patient to the appropriate level/place of care. Advocate, mediate, and negotiate, with an emphasis on self determination for the patient system, to formulate a cohesive plan for maintaining the patient's health status, improving social supports, and moving the patient safely into less restrictive, less costly levels of care according to available resources. (20%) - Records patient psychosocial evaluations, group therapies, and progress notes in their respective charts. Collaborate with the physician in competency/capacity determination, obtaining legal guardianship, involuntary psychiatric admission, adoptions, ethical concerns, etc. Complete and disseminate all necessary legal and clinical documentation as needed for resolution. (20%) - Active in the patient discharge planning process and assists in the patient's discharge to home or other extended care facility placement. Involve family in the treatment and discharge planning process if agreed upon by the patient. OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Complete and document a standard social work psychosocial and spiritual assessment to: Eliminate barriers to treatment and discharge, increase patient/family satisfaction, improve appropriate utilization of resources. Selects and schedules treatment activities consistent with the changing needs of the patient. Coordinates with other team members in the implementation of treatment plan; communicates recommendations to other disciplines. Identify the need for and conduct family meetings, with or without the physician, which result in understanding, comfort, decision making, and other important outcomes, such as discharge. Integrate relevant theories of family dynamics, crisis intervention, strengths-based, solution-focused, and meaning of illness into everyday casework. Summarize a patient and family situation concisely, with helpful guidance to non-social work staff members about recommendations for actions to be taken and barriers to discharge. Facilitate discharge planning for patients i.e., extended care placements, other facility transfers, and home care arrangements in collaboration with the health care team. Actively participate in care coordination efforts to successfully identify high-risk factors and respond appropriately so that key information, next steps and avoidable days are captured and documented. Is an active participant in the daily care coordination meetings. Accepts accountability for the clinical outcomes that the Discharge Planning role can facilitate. Maintains timely, clear, and concise documentation in all required systems. Provides pertinent clinical data to designated outside agencies to assure compliance with their requirements. Assures compliance with regulatory requirements. Builds professional relationships with patient, families, facilities and resources to address conflict resolution with positive outcomes. Completes all documentation and data entry requirements. Identifies high risk population and addresses opportunities for intervention. Willingly and consistently offer to help peers as needed. Knowledgeable of the Hospitals computer system as it relates to the Social Services department and accessing patient related information. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to deal with confidential information tactfully and diplomatically. Participatesin. Continuous. Quality. Improvementasrequiredbythe. Medical. Centerandthejobdescription. Understands and is accountable for the Medical Center's customer service program. Certifications and Licensures. Credential:BSW: Bachelors of Social Work. Equivalent Experience: Can be a limited license if MSW is available to supervise. Credential: Fingerprinting Required Education. Education: Bachelors Degree. Equivalent Experience: Master's degree preferred. LLBSW or LBSW required at time of hire. Limited License BSW employees must be actively working to obtain full licensure either as a LBSW or working towards their LMSW. These employees must pass licensing exam and complete 4,000 hours of supervised post degree social work by a LMSW. Certification in Case Management preferred. Recommended that the Case Manager receives their ACM certification after two years of experience. Education Specialization: SOCWRK