Medical and Public Health Social Workers

Provide persons, families, or vulnerable populations with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses, such as Alzheimer's, cancer, or AIDS. Services include advising family care givers, providing patient education and counseling, and making necessary referrals for other social services.

Job Task

• Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
• Investigate child abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary.
• Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.
• Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.
• Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.
• Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
• Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.
• Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.
• Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status.
• Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
• Supervise and direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.
• Develop or advise on social policy and assist in community development.
• Oversee Medicaid- and Medicare-related paperwork and record-keeping in hospitals.
• Conduct social research to advance knowledge in the social work field.
• Plan and conduct programs to combat social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve community health and counseling services.

Looking for a job in Medical and Public Health Social Workers? Check out these great job search websites. Thousands of job opportunities and reseach for a new career! Includes job search websites from Australia and internationally