Social Worker (Acute Care-Medical/Surgical)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

The Acute Care Medical/Surgical Social Worker functions as a key member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, providing professional social work services to Veterans and their families within the acute medical/surgical inpatient setting at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI. They are responsible for comprehensive psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, crisis intervention, discharge planning, and coordination of care. The social worker addresses the complex needs of patients facing acute illness, hospitalization, and related challenges, ensuring that the psychosocial, emotional, and resource needs of Veterans are identified and addressed. They collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, and other staff to facilitate patients' adjustment to illness and hospitalization, optimize resources, and promote continuity of care following discharge. Duties Include but not limited to: 1. Complete psychosocial assessments of hospitalized patients, identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. 2. Provide case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services. 3. Link the Veteran with services, resources, and opportunities in order to maximize the Veteran's independence, health, and well-being Provide education on Advance Directives and Advanced Care Planning; assist in completion of Advance Directives. 4. Provide interventions with Veterans and their families/caregivers who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, behavioral health, financial, legal, and psychosocial problems. 5. Act as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family and/or caregiver. 6. Maintain a current network of internal and external resources to educate the Veteran and/or family members/caregivers and assist with appropriate referrals. 7. Participate in discharge planning with other disciplines and initiate VA and community referrals, coordinating the discharge plan within scope of practice and ensuring discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate. 8. Provide a wide range of social work interventions and services in both individual or group settings, as consistent with VHA Directive 1110.02 Social Work Professional Practice and approved scope of practice. 9. Address Guardianships and Commitments in accordance with the standards of the work area. 10. Document social work interventions in the electronic medical record and ensure appropriate hand off when transferring patient care. 11. Provide a full range of social work services and interventions on scheduled weekends and holidays across the inpatient wards and the emergency department. 12. Coordinate and participate in the admission process; serve as the social work provider in the Community Living Center, as deemed appropriate by supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00AM-4:30PM with rotating weekends and holidays EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Telework: Ad-hoc only, as determined by agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10139F, 10140F VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional