Medical Social Worker

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A medical social worker could...

Overview Listen to this section

No one likes to go to the hospital, or get a bad diagnosis, but medical social workers can help patients manage their condition, emotionally and practically. For example, they assist in communication between patients and health care providers, so that patient questions get answered and patient concerns are heard. They advise and educate the patient and family members about the patient's condition; refer the patient to social services that can help with finances, housing, and legal aid; and arrange home care, meal delivery, and special equipment when the patient is discharged. Medical social workers are a vital part of a patient's health care team.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Medical Social Worker?

1. Social Perceptiveness: ? Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
2. Service Orientation: ? Actively looking for ways to help people.
3. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
4. Coordination: ? Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
5. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

6. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
7. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
8. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
9. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
10. Active Learning: ? Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Medical Social Worker might do:

• Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
• Educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options to assist them in making informed decisions.
• Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
• Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.
• Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.
• Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
• Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.
• Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.
• Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status.
• Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.
• Plan discharge from care facility to home or other care facility.
• Supervise and direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.
• Plan and conduct programs to combat social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve community health and counseling services.
• Develop or advise on social policy and assist in community development.
• Conduct social research to advance knowledge in the social work field.