Social Worker- Down Syndrome Program

Massachusetts General Hospital
United States, Massachusetts, Boston
15 Parkman Street (Show on map)
Jan 05, 2025
About the Down Syndrome Program: The Massachusetts General Hospital Down Syndrome Program (MGH DSP) and MGH Department of Clinical Social Work is seeking to hire a part time clinical social worker. The MGH DSP is a collaborative, multidisciplinary team serving people with Down syndrome of all ages and their families. We provide evidence-based clinical care, education, and cutting-edge research so that individuals with Down syndrome can reach their full potential. About this Social Worker Job: The MGH DSP is seeking a dynamic social worker with excellent clinical, consultation and collaborative skills for 4 day (32 hour) a week position. This is a fully in-person position with work days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; seeing patients in clinic on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings. The social worker provides clinical social work services to pediatric and adult patients with Down syndrome who are receiving medical care at Mass General Hospital. Responsibilities include the ability to complete thorough psychosocial assessments, provide psychological and behavioral consultation, family support, care coordination, and assistance with identifying resources. The successful candidate will be able to manage a busy caseload wile providing clinical care to patients and families across the life-span. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical Social Work Position: Works in the MGH Down Syndrome Program with the following responsibilities: Sees child, adolescent, and adult patients with Down syndrome and their families in the Down Syndrome Program developing comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments responsive to developmental, behavioral, and cultural needs and concerns. Assess and address the physical, emotional, and social needs of adults and older adults with Down syndrome and dementia. Provide counseling and education to families about dementia progression, caregiving strategies, and available resources. Offer guidance on advanced care planning, including discussions about goals of care and end-of-life decision-making. Provide bereavement support and follow-up care for families after the loss of a loved one. Provides psychological consultation and recommendations (e.g. behavior, emotional functioning) across the life span. Collaborates with and provides social work consultation to other disciplines within the Hospital and community. Provides guardianship evaluations and psychoeducation regarding the guardianship process, within the framework of transition and future planning. Follows up with families seen in above clinics with care coordination, advocacy, psychoeducation, supports, resources, and service referrals, as needed. Provides psychosocial consultation on patient/family care and management. Manages care coordination and follow up regarding educational advocacy. Provides mandated assessments when abuse is suspected (child, disabled adult, elder) and specialized safety assessment when violence is suspected. Triages contact from patients and families by e-mail or phone who seen in our clinic seeking support, guidance, resources and supports. Visits clinic patients that are hospitalized at MGH, providing a social visit from our Program; Collaborates with the inpatient SW team for psychosocial, support, care coordination needs of patients and families. Works effectively as part of a social work and interdisciplinary patient care team. Facilitates the appropriate and efficient use of Hospital resources. Participates in weekly team leadership meetings in the Down Syndrome Program. Participates in the monthly Down Syndrome Program team meetings. Participates in the annual Down Syndrome Program Strategic Planning Retreat. Participates in monthly SW Dept. Staff meeting. Provides risk management. Credentialed as mental health clinicians who provide care within parameters of managed care contracts. Participates in formal and informal clinical case reviews and seminars. Performs other duties as assigned Teaching and Education: Assesses patient/family learning needs, styles and readiness. Educates patients/families based on treatment plan, identifies barriers to care, diversity issues and learning styles. Mentors and may supervise students and staff. May teach in Departmental and Hospital seminars, workshops and rounds. Collaboration: Collaborates and consults with patient, families and providers within the Hospital and community to develop and implement patient care plans. Refers to and collaborates with Departmental programs, outside agencies, facilities, payors, and other relevant community resources. Organizational/Administrative Skills: Takes responsibility for own administrative duties, including timely and appropriate documentation in patient medical records, timely and accurate daily reporting of activities via the medical record (included in documentation workflow) and accurate reporting of time worked in hospital's time keeping system. Attends and participates in Staff Meetings and interdisciplinary meetings/rounds. Professional Conduct: Adheres to the profession's clinical standards and Code of Ethics. Adheres to the Department and Hospital standards, policies and procedures. Promotes Departmental and Hospital public relations. Provides risk management. Adheres to Departmental and Hospital quality/safety standards. Professional Development: *Is responsible for own professional development. Attends pertinent continuing education and professional activities related to job responsibilities and career goals. Keeps current with social work and health care developments pertinent to job and profession. Complies with licensure requirements. QUALIFICATIONS Master's of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program required. Must have Massachusetts Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with relevant clinical experience required. LICSW preferred. Strong assessment and treatment skills. Excellent organizational skills. Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Strong interpersonal skills enabling effective collaboration. Demonstrates ability to understand the role of social worker in a health care setting and to work independently in a complex, fast-paced environment. SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED Knowledge of specific medical and psychiatric illnesses, procedures and treatments specific to service. Develops comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments responsive to age appropriate patient/family needs and concerns. Provides clinical biopsychosocial assessments and short term or long term treatment/management of individuals, families, couples and groups. Develops treatment plans and initiates clinical interventions, utilizing individual and group treatment modalities. Analyzes course and results of treatment. Develops an effective working relationship with patient/family to engage, collaborate, advocate and problem solve in order to enhance their functioning. Utilizes individual, couples, family and/or group psychotherapy. Demonstrates competency in age specific behaviors, cultural issues and the impact of illness on patients/ families. Provides information, consultation and professional support to interdisciplinary team members and social work colleagues. Shares knowledge of community agencies and resources. Ability to navigate systems with patients/families. Demonstrates initiative and leadership in developing services which respond to patient care needs. Documents in medical record according to Departmental policies and procedures. Maintains patient/family confidentiality. Collaborates, consults and teaches. WORKING CONDITIONS Social workers provide care in various settings: at the bedside; outpatient, in treatment areas and offices SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY May mentor teach or supervise staff and students as assigned by the leadership team. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY Meets Departmental productivity standards. Outpatient staff is responsible for billable hours. Additional_Job_Description The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.