Medical Social Worker

Scope of work

Plans and prioritizes care for individuals and population of clients, focusing on strategies that will promote optimal health within populations. Provides peer support and role modeling related to the development of life skills and health/wellness to individuals and families. Demonstrates expertise, current knowledge in patient care and management of a caseload of clients of varying complexity and seeks to improve patient, family and health systems/community outcomes through the application of educational concepts/skills and preventive care in a managed care environment.

• Assess for mental, emotional, behavioral health needs and risk for suicidality.
• Partner with patients/families to develop effective coping and treatment self-management skills.
• Partner with patients/families to process new diagnosis and provide education to support in this adjustment.
• Collaborate with patients in support of behavior change.
• Identify barriers to care and work with patient/family/caregiver to develop a plan to address these. This may include identification of resources including financial, social and emotional.
• Identify gaps in care, provide referrals and coordinate care.
• Assess and address risk/safety concerns for patients who have a mental illness and/or substance use disorder.

About Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

We fight for every child. With 350+ pediatric specialists and subspecialists, 12 years of U.S. News & World Report national rankings and innovations that draw patients from all over the world, we're driven to replace fear with hope and doubt with answers. We believe in the possibility of every child's future. Because it's only impossible until it isn't. We have both inpatient and ambulatory spaces as well as a Level 1 trauma Emergency Department designated to children.