Why Join the Department of Social Work and the Adult Geriatric Inpatient Consult Team? 

Michigan Medicine and the Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, specifically the Geriatric Inpatient Consultation Team Service is a recognized leader for patients living with advanced illnesses. Clinical social work plays a vital role on this team to provide specialized psychosocial assessment and support to patients and families, to facilitate communication, promote care planning, and expedite transitional care, and to assure the appropriate level of care. This position works primarily with inpatient multi-disciplinary teams.

Why Join the Department of Social Work? 

You will be part of an interdisciplinary team of social workers and other medical professionals providing bio-psychosocial assessments, treatment, and case management services to patients with medical and/or psychiatric diagnoses.  You will play a vital role in providing clinical social work services to patients and families in an inpatient setting. 

The Department of Social Work strives to foster an environment of respect and belonging; a place where every person feels valued and can thrive. We are seeking a diverse candidate pool who is passionate about providing optimal psychosocial care to this patient population.

What Perks and Benefits Can You Look Forward to?

• 2:1 match on retirement savings
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one of employment
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Financial support for continuing education and certifications

You will be responsible for:

• Assessment and intervention with patients/families to address psychosocial barriers to care. 
• Patient Advocacy related to navigating health care systems.
• Work closely with inter-disciplinary teams to collaborate on plan of care for patients.
• Assessment and collaboration around abuse and neglect cases with appropriate referrals as necessary.
• Participation in inter-disciplinary team meetings, Social Work meetings and committee work that support the patient care mission. 
• Provide social work assessment, intervention, and case management services to patients referred to the consult team. 
• Collaborate with other healthcare teams to support ongoing patient care and care coordination. 
• Conduct psychosocial and family assessments for new patients. 
• Identify patient and family needs for ongoing healthcare and social-service support. 
• Assume responsibility for difficult and complex cases based on experience or area of expertise. 
• Educate patients, family members, and caregivers about chronic diseases and related conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, and other mental health or neurology-related issues, in accordance with the treatment plan. 
• Developing or gathering appropriate educational materials and resources. 
• Educate and support family members experiencing caregiver stress. 
• Conduct patient and family consultations regarding advance care planning, long-term treatment, and palliative care. 
• Assess the need for and provide referrals to psychotherapy and support groups. 
• Provide presentations and consultations to civic organizations on aging and healthcare issues, as assigned.

MSW Sr:

• A Master's degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.
• A current license to practice social work in the State of Michigan.
• This classification requires registration, certification or licensure with the appropriate agency as identified on the Primary Source Verification Matrix.

MSW:

• A Master's degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.
• Some experience of professional social work.
• Current license to practice social work in the State of Michigan (LMSW or LLMSW).
• This classification requires Primary Source Verification.

• Due to the nature of the variety of medical diagnoses associated with this population, proficiency in adjustment, loss, and bereavement issues is required.

• Previous experience supporting patients and families around issues of chronic illness, adjustment to illness and disability, and skill related to bereavement and end of life.

• Previous knowledge and/or experience in participating in capacity evaluations within an interdisciplinary team.

• Ability to participate in research-oriented projects within the Geriatric Inpatient Consult Team.

• Skilled in developing rapport and effectively communicating with a diverse patient population.

• Efficient, accurate assessment of patient needs and effective care planning.

• Effective organizational skills, flexibility, self-motivation, the ability to effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks in a dynamic medical clinic.

• Independent, sound decision-making is necessary for success in this position. 

• Effective collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team.

• Proficiency in keeping accurate and timely clinical records.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

This is a 32 hour/week position. The typical schedule will be Monday through Friday with start and end times 8:00-4:30 or 8:30-5:00.  

University of Michigan Hospital, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. Advancement through the career ladder at the Expert or Clinical Scholar Level is required for placement in the MSW Senior Classification.

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP), which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.