Patients who are experiencing trauma or extreme stress as part of medical treatment or illness can be offered a healthcare social worker to help them cope. Also referred to as hospital social workers, they ensure patients have access to the services and information they need to make a full recovery. They optimize the care that each person receives by acting as an advocate but can also take care of other issues such as finding financial assistance, employment, and support groups for their client.
Although it is physicians and nurses who man the front lines of medical care, hospital social workers are part of a wider team that assists patients more discreetly. They provide practical and emotional care, but the specifics of their role will change depending on what each client needs. Each person is unique and so the social worker concentrates on how they can help individuals, adjusting their assistance to suit the situation and the person.
A collaboration between professionals
As part of their day-to-day role, people in this profession will collaborate with medical professionals, various agencies, and government departments to achieve the best outcomes for their clients. It’s an exciting role in which no two days are ever the same, but it’s also accessible, as training is offered through flexible online programs. People who want to help others in need can prepare for roles as hospital social workers by applying for the Spring Arbor University Bachelor of Social Work Program. This course combines remote coursework with one-to-one support and a social work internship to prepare students for a career in social justice.
After graduation, students who pursue a hospital social worker route could find employment in various facilities across the US healthcare system. Hospitals, community groups, government agencies, and private practices all need professionals to manage their resources, procedures, and educational services. Although no two days will ever be the same, healthcare social workers carry out many of the following tasks.
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Establishing what the patient needsÂ
Assessing the patient’s emotional and practical needs is usually the first job a social worker will complete. If the patient is well enough to speak, they will be asked about what they think could help them to get back on their feet after their medical trauma has been resolved. However, there will also be discussions with the family of each patient to find out more about the situation at home and what services could make life more manageable for the patient when they leave the hospital.
A practitioner will factor in the views of the physicians who have been treating a patient in order to discover any long-term complications that should be taken into consideration. Finally, they will speak with the nurses who have provided bedside care to ensure they have not missed any key points about their overall well-being. Gaining a thorough history of the case will involve a deep understanding of the physical and psychological conditions a patient is dealing with, as well as their financial and social situation.
Once this initial assessment is complete, the social worker will begin to work on a personalized treatment plan. This is likely to involve bringing together the client’s family with their care team so that the lines of communication can remain open and patients can find the services which help with their longer-term care needs.
Ensuring the patient’s rights are observed
When it comes to patient rights, the American Medical Association has established a set of standards which anyone who enters the healthcare system will benefit from. To ensure that patients know their rights, healthcare social workers can act as advocates. From being treated respectfully to obtaining information about the cost of their treatment and their right to confidentiality, many aspects of professional care are recorded in law. Social workers will collaborate with the medical team to get optimal care for their clients and to confirm they are given appropriate advice at every stage of their recovery. To do this, social workers will let physicians know about problems a patient is having with their medication or another aspect of their care plan. The social worker may also discuss any concerns a patient has with the team in charge of their care. Once they have the necessary information, they can put their client’s mind at rest.
Directing a client to useful resourcesÂ
After a medical episode, a person may need counseling or physical therapy to complete the recovery process. If they are unable to offer these services themselves, a social worker will put their client in touch with another professional service. A course of physical therapy can be useful in regaining movement and relearning how to perform everyday tasks back at home. Counseling is more focused on helping a person to manage the stress and anxiety that can be caused by damage or changes to the body.
Recording the case and managing patient recordsÂ
Social workers record the results of their endeavors carefully to ensure the patient has a smooth transition between different services. Moreover, when they can look back over a case they have recorded in detail, a practitioner is better placed to monitor any changes and evaluate how well the plan they wrote is working. A patient’s case notes will indicate that everything is going as expected or that progress is not being made, in which case the practitioner knows they will need to revisit their initial assessment.
Ensuring the client has their finances in order
Time spent in the hospital – and especially repeated treatments – can put a huge strain on the finances of a patient and their family. Even when their health begins to return to normal, their ability to pay bills and support themselves could be compromised. If people have missed out on a salary due to hospitalization or they are struggling to manage their health insurance claim, a healthcare social worker can help to address the problem. They may refer patients and their families to financial assistant plans, legal aid services, and community resources that are designed for residents in need. Once a treatment plan has been successful, they can also assist patients with finding a job or returning to education.
Assisting the family with queries and questionsÂ
When they first arrive at the hospital, a patient can feel nervous or shy, they may not want to ask questions, and they may forget to let the doctor know about an important symptom. However, if the family is engaged in their loved one’s care, they can provide a social worker with insights that will be passed on to the medical team.
Furthermore, the family is likely to have lots of questions when their relative is having an extended stay in the hospital. They frequently want to know more about the treatment plan and wonder how long their family member may have to spend in the facility. Social workers can find the answers to their questions and keep the family informed at every point in the journey. This allows the people around a patient to work on the care process themselves. They will know when to prepare for the person’s return home in practical ways, such as filling the fridge and arranging for additional care at home.
Designing a plan for the client’s dischargeÂ
Once discharged, patients can rely on social workers to help them plan for their return home. From establishing a care plan to booking rehabilitation sessions and grants for modifications to the home, practitioners will ensure their clients are prepared and can get on with their lives after a course of medical treatment.