The Trauma Program social worker provides information and referral services, counseling, needs assessments, screenings, discharge planning for special populations, and the coordination of outpatient services which meet the health related needs of the traumatically injured patient of all ages, adolescent (12-18 years), adult (19-65 years), and geriatric (66-older), in an acute care setting.  The major functions include assessing, planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring, educating, and evaluating care.  The trauma program social worker will be responsible for keeping vital data to reflect intervention impacts and will present at interdisciplinary monthly meetings as requested. The trauma program social worker identifies tools, resources, skills, and education to support trauma patients with mental illness, transitional needs, and substance abuse disorders, with the ultimate goal of providing support and intervention to improve mental health and stability. The trauma program social worker interacts with physicians, residents, medical students, nursing staff, staff from other departments/services involved in patient care, as well as with providers and community agency representatives. This position is in conjunction with a multifaceted social support program for trauma patients at UofL Hospital and will be essential to our holistic care approach

In addition, the Trauma Program Social Worker will utilize Animal-assisted therapy (AAT), practice that incorporates animals as part of a therapeutic process with the goal of positively affecting human health. The goal of animal- assisted therapy is to enhance and improve the experience of all patients, families, caregivers, faculty, and staff by providing consistent and compassionate animal-assisted therapy interactions.

1. Provides crisis intervention, supportive individual and group counseling, and patient advocacy to enhance patient and family ability to cope with psycho-social effects of traumatic injuries/hospitalization. 
2. Meets with patients and/or family members at the bedside to provide psychosocial support during various stages of disease processes, including death and dying.
3.  Utilizes social work methods to help patient and family cope with very emotionally demanding issues (i.e. – loss of patient’s limb, substance abuse, loss of functional abilities, grief and loss, financial stressors). 
4. Evaluates trauma departmental products, procedures, and services systematically to ensure continuing effectiveness and to identify needed improvements. Part of this evaluation includes data collection to evaluate effectiveness of brief intervention and identify gaps or opportunities for growth.
5. Provides substance abuse and trauma-specific education/outreach/resources to co-workers, hospital and medical staff, and the community to provide information about Trauma Program functions, social services-related concepts and services, and community resources.
6. Pursues continuing education by participation in departmental or hospital-wide in-service programs, or in classes, workshops, or conferences.
7. Identifies risk issues with trauma patients accurately and implements procedures which appropriately address risk concerns.  (APS, CPS, MIW, duty to warn, etc.)  Utilizes proper methods to assess whether presence of domestic violence is related to patient’s admission to the hospital and intervenes accordingly.
8. Supervises undergraduate and graduate students, as assigned, and collaborative programs affiliated with University of Louisville Hospital and surrounding educational institutions.
9. With trauma MD guidance, conducts family conferences routinely, especially for complex family situations or patients with complex or special needs.  Utilizes social work tools and skills to participate in the resolution and mediation of disagreements and conflicts within family/social systems as they arise in the hospital setting. 
10. In collaboration with the Trauma Program Director and Trauma Injury Prevention Manager, will establish, coordinate, and maintain the Trauma Survivor network and other patient support services included in the American Trauma Society.
11. In collaboration with Trauma Injury Prevention Manager, will establish, coordinate, and maintain Youth Anti-Violence Program and other community Injury Prevention programs.
12. Performs required assessments for pediatric patients
13. For special population trauma patients will work in collaboration with Care Coordination to assist with needs assessment to develop appropriate discharge/care management plan that will result in best possible outcomes.  Uses social work screening tools and information from multiple interdisciplinary sources to develop an appropriate plan.
14. Participates in trauma interdisciplinary rounds.  Offers information attained from psychosocial assessment to overcome barriers to treatment in the patient’s social environment and emotional wellbeing to support the treatment efficacy provided in the hospital.
15. In collaboration with Addiction Program SW, per the American College of Surgeons criteria (ACS), will conduct brief interventions for trauma patients identified as being admitted for illness/injury related to drug/alcohol abuse and referral/transition to substance abuse treatment agencies when patients agree to treatment.
16. Will develop and maintain monthly Trauma Support Group
17. Will develop and maintain Trauma Peer Support
18. Is an active participant in Trauma Clinic, follow-up mental health screenings for patients that meet criteria
19. Per the American College of Surgeons, will develop and maintain mental health screenings as required for Level I verification.
20. Performs other duties as assigned
21. Animal Handler Duties:
22. Provide animal assisted interventions utilizing facility dog at bedside, in clinics, and throughout the UofL health care system for patients and family members (procedural support, co treatment with various interdisciplinary teams such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc., comfort visits, support to families experiencing difficult situations, end of life, etc.)
23. Facilities animal assisted therapy (AAT) for patients and families in coping with the stress of hospitalization, illness, death and/or loss; participates in patient/family teaching by using developmentally appropriate and medically accurate teaching aids and techniques in such a way that knowledge is increased, and emotional needs are supported; assists patients in meeting specific goals as determined by the medical team.
24. Ensure all requirements are being met for dog handling set forth by Paws with Purpose (PWP) regarding weight management, vet care, grooming, home environment etc.
25. Assesses needs of facility dogs throughout working shift to provide adequate rest and down time.
26. Maintains program statistics to assess and evaluate quality of programming and makes necessary adjustments.
27. Communicates facility dog and professional issues as they relate to healthcare through the provision of lectures and programs both in the community and within the health care system; provides in-services/workshops to health care staff and trainees having direct patient care.
28. Participates as able in the attendance of special events and programming that involve the facility dog
29. Maintains compliance with all company policies, procedures and standards of conduct
30. Complies with HIPAA privacy and security requirements to maintain confidentiality at all timesPerforms other duties as assigned

Education:  Master of Social Work (MSW or MSSW) is required.

Experience: Hospital or Healthcare social work preferred

Licensure:  Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) preferred, if not LCSW, will be required to  begin supervision within 12 months of hire

Certification: Certified Social Worker (CSW) for Kentucky is required