MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER

Code: 02475@ Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, performs professional social work services and renders social service assistance to clients and members of their families in solving problems of clients whose physical/medical needs may be aggravated by social factors requiring social work treatment; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Provides a service plan to restore patient to optimum social and health adjustment within his/her capacity by advising on social problems, arranging for discharging or postoperative care at home, or in institutions, placement of children in foster homes, placement of adults in nursing homes, financial assistance to patients or families during illness, and emotional support to alleviate anxieties or fears concerning permanent disabilities, disfiguring illness, or an uncertain future.
• Helps patient and family through individual or group conferences to understand, accept, and follow medical recommendations.
• In rendering assistance to the client follows through with three major phases of activity, namely: (1) interviewing client and family members to obtain information about home environment, family relationship, health history, and client's personality traits, and mutual and personal resources; (2) evaluating data gathered in terms of medical plan of treatment, available social service programs and planning a pertinent treatment program that will provide maximum benefits for each client; and (3) providing indicated services and contacts community agencies to gain their cooperation in assisting the client.
• Writes summaries of information received from friends and organizations (parole officers, government agencies, pastors) who have a knowledge of the client.
• Assists clients in determining vocational goals and abilities.
• Attends staff conferences to present case history and to collaborate on case records including followup as a basis for comparative research on the effectiveness of various types of treatment.
• May supervise the work assignments of subordinate social work staff.
• May give interpretation of case histories to judges of courts and members of boards.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited school of social work with a Master's degree in Social Work.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of sociological and psychological principles and practices as they apply to social work.
• Knowledge of a wide range of treatment techniques which enable the worker to deal with clients whose medical problems are complicated by emotional instability, unemployment, functional illiteracy, delinquency, and so forth.
• Knowledge of objective interviewing techniques (which include selective use of questioning, explanation, and encouragement) relative to working with clients and exploring their varied problems.
• Knowledge of human behavior and development, social and economic environment, social service systems, and factors that contribute to normal development and social and individual abnormalities.
• Knowledge of methods used in collecting, analyzing, and evaluating factual information necessary for sound conclusions and for appropriate plans of action.
• Knowledge of procedures used in preparation of social histories for diagnostic purposes and as a basis for rehabilitation of the client.
• Ability to diagnose a client's social problems which are complicated by emotional instability, unemployment, illness, functional illiteracy, and so forth.
• Ability to collect, interpret, and evaluate data.
• Ability to perform work which provides direct social services to individual and families.
• Ability to identify a client's fears, anxieties, defense mechanisms, and other factors of attitude in the course of an interviewing session.
• Ability to deal constructively with varied client reactions and to achieve rapport with clients from different social backgrounds and ethnic groups.
• Ability to achieve desired treatment goals by utilizing available therapeutic techniques and social resources.
• Ability to revise treatment plans continuously in the course of service based on client and family response.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply basic rules and regulations to specific situations.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.