Social Worker-MSW LSW

IU Health•Indianapolis, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker at University Hospital provides face-to-face psychosocial assessments and therapeutic interventions for patients and families. This role involves collaborating with healthcare teams to ensure safe, timely, and resourceful patient care, while addressing complex psychosocial needs. The social worker serves as a key liaison with protective services, community agencies, and hospital staff, and leads crisis intervention efforts during acute situations. The position emphasizes evidence-based practice, legal compliance, and culturally competent service delivery across diverse populations.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) required.
Permanent Indiana LSW licensure required.
Certification in Crisis Prevention Intervention or an alternative de-escalation training within 6 months of hire.
Prior experience in healthcare, mental health, or community social work.
Evidence-based psychosocial assessment, short-term therapeutic counseling, and crisis intervention.
Knowledge of disease processes and human behavior related to health and social needs.
Complex discharge planning skills to ensure safe patient transitions.
Familiarity with state and county legal mandates for child and adult protective services.
Ability to adapt services for geographically, culturally, and financially diverse populations.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
Computer literacy and proficiency in electronic medical records documentation.

Responsibilities

Conduct face-to-face assessments with patients and families to evaluate psychosocial needs and risks.
Collaborate with healthcare team members to coordinate patient care, discharge planning, and resource linkage.
Interpret and communicate complex patient/family needs, modeling caring and professional practices to other caregivers.
Counsel patients and families regarding emotional, social, and financial impacts of illness or disability.
Access and mobilize family and community resources to meet identified needs.
Perform mental health assessments based on physician referrals and provide therapeutic interventions to support discharge planning.
Serve as the primary point person for cases involving child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence; act as liaison with protective agencies.
Provide specialized services including crisis intervention, addiction assessments, and psychiatric referral recommendations.
Lead or support in dangerous or potentially violent situations utilizing effective de-escalation techniques and principles of crisis intervention.
Support patients during end-of-life, guardianship, foster care, and adoption processes.
Conduct interviews and assessments of victims, perpetrators, family members, and significant others, ensuring safety and legal compliance.
Maintain thorough documentation in the electronic medical record, adhering to hospital and legal standards.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with hospital administrators, law enforcement, APS/DCS, schools, probation, and community agencies.
Respond with or in lieu of the Department of Public Safety to de-escalate violence as needed.