Job Description
Position Title: Social Worker – MSW LCSW
Location: University Hospital
Shift: Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
IU Health seeks compassionate and dedicated team members committed to delivering excellent patient care. The Social Worker provides face-to-face assessments, develops treatment plans, and facilitates care coordination. This role involves supporting patients and families through psychosocial evaluations, discharge planning, crisis intervention, and collaboration with community resources and protective services. The ideal candidate demonstrates a passion for supporting diverse populations and fostering team excellence.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Meet face-to-face with patients and families to assess psychosocial needs and develop individualized treatment plans.
Assist in creating educational materials for patients, families, and team members.
Serve as a resource and role model for students, interns, LBSWs, and LSWs.
Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure safe, timely, and effective patient care and discharge planning.
Communicate complex patient and family needs clearly and professionally, role modeling caring practices.
Evaluate psychosocial risk factors, including prior functioning, support systems, and coping mechanisms.
Counsel patients and families on emotional, social, and financial impacts of illness or disability.
Access and mobilize community and family resources to meet patient needs.
Conduct mental health assessments upon physician referral and provide therapeutic interventions.
Serve as primary liaison for cases involving child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence, coordinating with protective agencies.
Maintain principles and practices of crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
Support guardianship, foster care, adoption, and mental health placements.
Provide specialized services including crisis intervention, addiction assessments, and psychiatric referrals.
Lead clinical interventions during dangerous or potentially violent situations, emphasizing safety and de-escalation.
Use effective interviewing techniques for victims, perpetrators, families, and significant others.
Document clinical activities accurately in electronic medical records.
Develop and sustain relationships with hospital staff, law enforcement, community agencies, and protective services.
Respond to or support responses with the Department of Public Safety to de-escalate violence.
Qualifications & Requirements:
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) required.
Permanent licensure as an LSW or LCSW in Indiana required.
Certification in Crisis Prevention Intervention or an equivalent de-escalation training within 6 months of hire.
Knowledge of evidence-based psychosocial assessment, short-term counseling, and crisis intervention for mental health and substance use disorders.
Understanding of disease processes and human behavior related to social and health needs.
Strong discharge planning skills for safe patient transitions.
Knowledge of legal mandates related to protective services for children and adults.
Familiarity with growth and development principles across the lifespan, including end-of-life care.
Ability to identify decision-makers and facilitate goals of care conversations.
Experience adapting services for diverse populations across geographic, cultural, and financial backgrounds.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills with hospital staff, law enforcement, community agencies, and external partners.
Computer literacy and proficiency in electronic medical record documentation.
Ability to apply crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques effectively.
May be scheduled for on-call and holiday rotations.
Join Indiana's leading healthcare system committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. We offer opportunities for professional development, a collaborative team environment, and a focus on improving community health.
