Job Description

The Lead Hospital‑Based Social Worker (MSW) provides advanced clinical, operational, and professional leadership for hospital‑based social work services across multiple AtlantiCare campuses. This role supports consistent, high‑quality social work practice while ensuring alignment with organizational goals related to patient flow, safe discharge, and continuity of care.

In addition to carrying a clinically complex caseload, the Lead Hospital‑Based Social Worker serves as a subject matter expert, mentor, and operational resource for hospital‑based social workers. The role includes responsibility for providing required clinical supervision to support licensure, professional development, and regulatory compliance.

Clinical & Hospital‑Based Practice

• Performs advanced psychosocial assessments for patients with complex medical, social, and situational needs across assigned inpatient units or campuses.
• Provides clinical intervention, problem‑solving, and support for high‑risk and complex cases, including guardianship, capacity, family conflict, and end‑of‑life decision‑making.
• Serves as an escalation resource for complex psychosocial situations impacting discharge progression.
• Ensures care is delivered in accordance with professional standards, regulatory requirements, and AtlantiCare policies.

Operational & Cross‑Campus Leadership

• Provides cross‑campus coverage and leadership support to ensure consistent hospital‑based social work practice across AtlantiCare facilities.
• Collaborates with care management leadership, nursing leadership, and operations to address system‑level barriers impacting:
• Length of stay
• Avoidable days
• Discharge efficiency and safety
• Participate in multidisciplinary rounds, throughput meetings, and complex discharge planning discussions at the unit, campus, or system level.
• Identifies trends in psychosocial discharge barriers and escalates opportunities for operational improvement.

Clinical Supervision & Professional Development

• Provides required monthly clinical supervision to hospital‑based social workers in accordance with New Jersey licensure requirements and AtlantiCare standards.
• Documents supervision meetings and professional guidance as required to support licensure, regulatory compliance, and professional accountability.
• Serves as a clinical resource for scope of practice questions, ethical considerations, and complex case decision‑making.
• Supports onboarding, orientation, and continued professional development of hospital‑based social workers.
• Functions as a mentor and professional role model, reinforcing best practices and consistency of care across campuses.

Quality & Performance Improvement

• Participates in departmental and organizational quality initiatives related to hospital‑based social work and discharge planning.
• Contributes to development and reinforcement of best practices, workflows, and documentation standards.
• Supports data‑informed review of escalations, supervision themes, and system‑level barriers to care transitions.

ON‑CALL & HOLIDAY REQUIREMENTS

• Participates in scheduled on‑call rotation to provide after‑hours clinical and operational support, including evenings and weekends.
• Participates in holiday coverage rotation as required to ensure continuity of hospital‑based social work services across campuses

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited program required.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Current New Jersey licensure as Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required. Eligibility and standing to provide clinical supervision in accordance with state licensure requirements required.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of three (3) years of hospital‑based social work experience required.

Demonstrated experience managing complex psychosocial cases in an acute care hospital setting.

Prior experience providing clinical supervision, mentoring, or lead support preferred.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Maintains an assigned inpatient caseload reflective of advanced psychosocial complexity.
• Balances direct patient care with leadership, supervision, and cross‑campus support responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Potential for exposure to blood borne pathogens along with infectious diseases. (Refers to Blood Bourne Pathogen requirement)

Essential functions of this position are listed on the Assessment and Evaluation Tool.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This position directly reports to Care Management Leadership.

The above statement reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principle functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

Total Rewards at AtlantiCare

At AtlantiCare, we believe in supporting the whole person. Our market-competitive Total Rewards package is designed to promote the physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being of our team members. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and resources, including:

Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)

Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental & Vision Insurance

Retirement Plans with employer contributions

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Coverage

Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement to support your educational goals

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care

Wellness Programs to help you thrive

Voluntary Benefits, including Pet Insurance and more

Benefits offerings may vary based on position and are subject to eligibility requirements.

Join a team that values your well-being and invests in your future.