The Float Medical Social Worker, as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, has the primary responsibility for assessment, counseling, care coordination, information/referral, crisis intervention, patient advocacy and associated services to patients, families, significant others and involved parties/agencies. The efforts are directed at assisting in the patient/family adjustment to illness, injury or disability and secondary adjustment

to hospitalization or other treatment, and readjustment to the community. The Department has corresponding teaching and research functions related to health and healthcare delivery practices. The Medical Social Worker provides direct intervention on an as-needed basis with infants, children, adolescents, adults and elderly patients and/or families. The Float Medical Social Worker is expected to practice in accordance with performance standards, core values and with a commitment to service excellence. Primary role is to provide services to pediatric patients and their families, but may provide social work services to patients in Adult units, Peds unit and/or ED as needed.

• Conducts psychosocial evaluations of patients/families and significant others including, but not limited to the following: adjustment to medical or health condition; care coordination; mental health status; adjustment/compliance to treatment process; substance usage; child and elder abuse/neglect assessments; domestic violence issues; cognitive status (including potential guardian issues); and patient/family resources.
• Provides crisis intervention and supportive short term counseling to patients/families and significant others as necessary to meet immediate psycho-social needs including, but not limited to: Trauma/Emergency Department/ On Call/ Family Notification, CODE Response (family intervention); unanticipated change in health conditions/suicidal ideation; teenage pregnancy; single parent pregnancy/parenthood, domestic violence, child and elder abuse/neglect.
• Provides grief/loss counseling and education regarding: fetal demise; actual/pending death of patient//family member; complicated pregnancies; postpartum depression; chronic/acute stress associated with life circumstances; divorce/separation; loss of independence associated with illness or disability.

• Provides brief psychotherapy including: individual short term psychotherapy; group work including information/ support groups, family support, patient therapy); regarding but not limited to issues of adoption, abortion , domestic violence, family of origin, sexual/gender, substance abuse, parenting, relationship adjustment to disabilities and chronic or acute illness.

• Assess patient/family support needs regarding: transportation, housing, clothing and educational/patient vocational rehabilitation and training materials and refer to appropriate resources.

• A Master’s Social Work (MSW) required.  

   

• Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required for employees who practice clinical social work.

• Health care experience preferred.
• 1 year experience in a primary care clinic setting.
• 1 year hospital experience.

Requires prioritization..

Frequent interruptions in an evironment of frequent change and fluctuations.

For inpatient units accepts accountability and responsibility.

May be exposed to body fluids, tissue, possible radiation exposure, and infectious processes.

Subject to computer work for several hours, as needed.

Able to utilize office equipment within work area.

 

Posted: 12/30/2025 11:56am

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.