Medical Social Worker

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is seeking a Medical Social Worker. Responsible for providing comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral, addictive and developmental disorders and disabilities using specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills, such as crisis intervention, coordination and referral of community resources, and short- term counseling for School of Medicine patients and their families.

• Conduct assessment of psychosocial needs and social determinants of health, and plan, monitor and provide therapeutic interventions or referrals to community resources for patients and their families, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with patients, their family or caregivers, and other members of the patient care team, including external agencies, to assess each situation to determine the best course of action.
• Provide direct intervention with patients and families in areas such as mental health, suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, child/adult abuse/neglect, death/grief, crisis intervention, advocacy and substance abuse.
• Respond to crisis situations and engage with patients and families to provide de-escalation, as well as access to the appropriate level of care across the continuum, as appropriate.
• Assist with assessment and transfer to necessary services for patients who present with suicidal ideation or who present a risk of harm to themselves or others.
• Collaborate with other members of the patient care team to understand each situation from different perspectives.
• Recommend and/or provide immediate treatment and solution-focused interventions.
• Provide brief intervention to patients and families, on an as-needed basis, to address issues such as trauma/crisis, grief, adjustment to diagnosis/illness, and relationship challenges.
• Educate and counsel patients and families on available community resources and facilities.
• Assess for barriers to engaging with the care team.
• Make referrals to community agencies and other healthcare specialists. Facilitate patient setup with the appropriate follow-up treatment.
• Document assessment, plan, intervention(s), and outcome(s) in the medical record using documentation that is clear, concise, accurate, timely and outcome-oriented.
• Provide formal and informal education to other care team members regarding psychosocial issues and community resources, as appropriate.
• Teach resident physicians how to work with social workers.
• Practice in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.
• Availability to work on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
• Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions.
• All other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work required.
• Two years post-Master’s social work experience preferred.
• Michigan Limited License Masters Social Worker candidates are required to have a minimum of one year medical or mental health experience.
• Michigan Limited License Masters Social Worker candidates are required to seek licensure following two years of hire and completion of state-required supervision hours, licensing exam, and proof of passing licensing test.
• Prior field instructor or teaching experience preferred.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS:

• Michigan Masters Social Worker license preferred.
• Michigan Limited License Masters Social Workers may be considered.
• BLS preferred.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Able to work collaboratively with others in a medical clinic environment.
• Knowledge and proficiency in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR), word processing and file management using Word and other software as required by the department.
• Knowledge and proficiency in grammar and spelling skills.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to operate automated standard office equipment such as multi-line phone system, copier, fax machine, shredder, etc.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing.
• Ability to meet assigned deadlines.
• Ability to interpret, comprehend, and transmit complicated and detailed instructions accurately.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize priorities in organization of workflow.
• Able to perform duties independently, with a minimal need for direct supervision.

About Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed)

We are committed to excellence and health equity through transformative medical education, high-quality, patient- and family-entered care, innovative research, and community partnerships within a just culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our vision is health equity for all in Southwest Michigan through innovation in the practice and study of medicine.

The medical school is a collaboration of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo's two teaching health systems, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. The medical school is a private nonprofit corporation supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition, and endowment income. WMed is the recipient of a $100 million foundational gift and the Empowering Futures Gift, a philanthropic commitment of $300 million to support the mission of the medical school. WMed contributes to the economic vitality of Southwest Michigan through the services we provide as well as the creation of 1,600 new jobs and an annual estimated economic impact of $353 million in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.

WMed is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Higher Learning Commission. The medical school offers a comprehensive, innovative four-year Doctor of Medicine degree program and a Master of Science degree program in Biomedical Sciences. We train physicians in 10 residencies and five fellowships accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. To support our educational mission, we have Joint Accreditation for interprofessional continuing education, which incorporates accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

WMed Health is the clinical practice of the medical school with more than 300 providers offering comprehensive primary care and specialty services in several locations throughout the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas. Faculty in the Department of Pathology serve as the Office of the Medical Examiner for counties throughout Michigan and northern Indiana.

The W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus located in downtown Kalamazoo serves as the primary educational facility with student study and social spaces, team-based learning halls, faculty and administrative offices, a state-of-the-art Simulation Center accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, basic science research labs, as well as toxicology and forensic pathology labs.

WMed builds upon Kalamazoo’s century-long foundation of drug discovery and medical device development with a strategic investment in clinical, laboratory, community, and educational research. The Center for Immunobiology, Center for Clinical Research, Research Histology Lab, Innovation Center, and Human Research Protection Program contribute to the medical school’s advancement of knowledge through innovation and discovery. 

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer of females, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans, and actively strives to increase diversity within its community. We provide a drug- and tobacco-free workplace. 

EEO Minorities/Women/Disabled/Protected Veterans.