Why UT Southwestern?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued patients and employees. With over 20,000 employees, we are committed to continuing our growth with the best professionals in the healthcare industry. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover teamwork, professionalism, and consistent opportunities for growth.

• Responsibilities are heavily related to psychosocial and psychiatric needs of the patient presenting to the Emergency Department for evaluation.
• Provide mental health evaluation and make recommendations to the provider for mental health facility placement or outpatient support based on severity of symptoms.
• Assist in placement referrals to psychiatric facilities.
• Submit applications for financial assistance related to mental health support.
• Submit to the court symptoms in cases where an Order of Protective Custody is required.
• Conduct complex psycho-social assessments and interventions to promote timely throughput, facilitate a safe discharge, and prevent avoidable readmissions.
• Related to psychosocial and psychiatric needs of the patient presenting to the Emergency Department for evaluation.
• Provide mental health evaluation and make recommendations to the provider for mental health facility placement or outpatient support based on severity of symptoms.

• Minimum of two (2) years experience required.
• Experience in Emergency Department preferred.
• Graduate of an Institution certified by the Council of Social Work Education with a Masters in Social Work; LCSW preferred or LMSW actively pursuing LCSW.
• Current license is required by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners

• Performs social work assessment and crisis intervention for patients and family members presenting to the Emergency Department for care.
• Anticipates patient's and/or patient's family needs and expectations and utilizes these in conjunction with assessment to help develop appropriate plan of care for patient.
• In collaboration with the psychiatrist on call, identifies psychiatric emergencies. Assesses the potential for self harm/suicidal ideation and coordinates voluntary and involuntary treatment/commitment procedures.
• Works closely with the primary responder, the ED physician and nursing staff and consults with, legal authorities, military commanders, school districts and other community entities as assigned or required.
• Assists Emergency Room staff in evaluation and stabilization of patients. Facilitates admission and transfer processes to appropriate facilities, as indicated.
• Identifies psychosocial risk factors that may prevent a safe return to the community. These risk factors may include suspected abuse, neglect, trauma, interpersonal violence, behavioral health concerns, homelessness, and limited resources, etc.
• Provides information and/or education to patient's and/or patient's families. Completes accurate and timely documentation of all education provided. Obtains feedback and evaluation of understanding from patient and/or family. Demonstrates effective communication with children, adolescents, adults and older adults.
• Refers patients to out-patient programs and communities resources as indicated to assist the patient in meeting their health care needs and medication procurement.
• Maintains timely documentation; consistently meets department and UH documentation standards.
• Serves as patient and/or family advocate. Responds to patient's and/or patient's family's complaints and reports them to supervisor. Utilizes chain of command to resolve patient, operational, or personal work related problems.
• Maintains HIPPA privacy of all patients. Accesses only medical records for patients that are assigned or that present to the ED and are screened for potential social work interventions.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Acts as a resource for the department for complicated mental health processes as related to Order of Protective Custody (OPC) and Apprehension by Police Officer without Warrant (APOWW).

• Good general health and stress coping ability.
• Full mobility and ability to participate in vigorous activity. Ability to speak and hear to allow discussions with physicians, patients and other members of the healthcare team.
• Possess near vision for accurate reading of computer screens and recording on patient charts.
• Must be able to walk reasonable distances to cover multiple nursing units.
• Proficient computer skills and knowledge; able to meet EHR clinical documentation and department communication standards.

• Work is performed primarily in a hospital or hospital clinic environment.
• Walking, standing, bending, turning and stooping.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.