MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER

MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER-(T232876)

Description

We are seeking to hire a linkage and retention medical social worker for a full-time position to join our multidisciplinary team in the UAB Family Clinic. UAB Family Clinic is a Ryan White federally funded clinic providing care for women, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with HIV. We are one of two clinics providing HIV care for children under the age of 18 years in the State of Alabama. We care for patients with both perinatal acquired HIV as well as later acquisition. Our focus is to provide holistic care for women with HIV and their affected children, support them throughout pregnancy, children born in the US with HIV, as well as international adoptees with HIV, and adolescents and young adults with acquired HIV.

The linkage and retention medical social worker provides comprehensive clinical social work– with the primary role of assisting patients with engagement in medical care, medical retention, and service provision related to these needs. The social worker will practice with trauma informed case management services primarily to HIV-positive patients receiving care at the UAB Family Clinic. This role focuses on improving health outcomes and retention in care by addressing medical, psychosocial, and practical barriers to treatment through coordinated, patient-centered services. The linkage and retention social worker collaborates closely with physicians, nurses, social workers, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to support patients across the continuum of HIV care, including linkage to services, transportation coordination, referrals, and ongoing case management.

To assist patients and their families in making full use of available national, state, institutional, community and pharmaceutical resources. To provide social evaluation which includes placement of evaluation in medical record. To provide counseling to patients/families and/or groups. To participate in staffing, clinics and rounds in order to enhance team understanding of patient s psychosocial situation. To facilitate discharge planning; arranges for services such as home health, hospice, durable medical equipment and/or skilled nursing facility placement. To respond to the unique needs of the patient population as needed. May provide anticipatory, permanency and/or bereavement/loss counseling to patients and families and/or makes appropriate community referrals. May supervise both bachelors and masters level students. To act as a liaison to the community through public speaking.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Medical & Psychosocial Case Management:
•Provide Ryan White–compliant medical case management services related to linkage and retention in care to people living with HIV or who are at high risk of HIV infection
•Support patient engagement, retention in care, and adherence to medical care.
•Provide short-term counseling, supportive interventions, and crisis support within scope of practice

Direct Patient Services:
•Coordinate transportation services to support access to medical appointments and essential services
•Facilitate referrals to internal and external resources including behavioral health, housing, financial assistance, and specialty care
•Assist patients in navigating complex healthcare and hospital systems
•Support patients in addressing social determinants of health that impact medical outcomes

Care Coordination & Collaboration:
•Work collaboratively with UAB Children of Alabama’s hospital-based providers, nursing staff, pharmacists, and social work colleagues
•Participate in multidisciplinary care team meetings and case conferences
•Serve as a liaison between patients, clinical teams, and service providers

Documentation & Program Compliance:
•Maintain timely, accurate documentation in electronic medical records and Ryan White reporting systems
•Ensure services are delivered in compliance with Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program guidelines and UAB policies
•Track services, referrals, and outcomes for quality improvement and reporting purposes

Professional Practice & Program Support:
•Uphold patient confidentiality, ethical standards, and culturally responsive care
•Participate in required trainings, supervision, and continuing education
•Support clinic initiatives aimed at improving patient access, equity, and health outcomes

Salary Range: $50,050 - $81,330

Qualifications

Master's degree in Social Work required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement. If job is in The Kirklin Clinic (TKC), previous experience in a healthcare environment preferred. Currently licensed or eligible to be licensed as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners required. If job is in The Kirklin Clinic (TKC), license must be obtained within six months of employment.

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.

Primary Location

:University

Job Category

:Clerical & Administrative

Organization

:311653000 Ped - Infectious Disease

Employee Status

:RegularShift:Day/1st ShiftWork Arrangement (final schedule to be determined by the department/hiring manager):Onsite