Summary

Why Join the Department of Social Work Adult Palliative Care team?

The Michigan Medicine Palliative Care Service is a recognized leader for patients living with advanced illness. Clinical social work plays a vital role on the adult palliative consult service to provide specialized psychosocial support to patients and families, to facilitate communication, promote care planning, and expedite transitional care, to assure the appropriate level of care. This position will have the opportunity to support both inpatient teams and one outpatient clinic. This position is a great opportunity to work with medically and psychosocially complex patients and families as well as a highly skilled and supportive Adult Palliative Care Social Work team.

The Department of Social Work strives to foster an environment of respect, diversity and inclusion; a place where every person feels valued and can thrive. We are seeking a diverse candidate pool who is passionate about providing optimal psychosocial care to this patient population.

What Perks and Benefits Can You Look Forward to?

• 2:1 match on retirement savings
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one of employment
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Financial support for continuing education and certifications

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Responsibilities*

• You will be responsible for:

• Direct Patient Care Responsibilities:
  • Conduct thorough psychosocial and family assessments of patients referred to the consult service.
  • Provide psychological and emotional support and counseling to patients and families.
  • Coordinate with care management teams to facilitate transitions of care and refer to community-based providers.
  • Engage patients and families in grief and bereavement support, counseling and psychoeducation.
  • Facilitate family meetings and interprofessional patient care meetings.
  • Participate in interprofessional assessment of symptoms; make recommendations for non-pharmacologic symptom management; engage in conversation about comfort with, adjustment to and safe use of controlled substances.
  • Participate in the development of an outpatient clinical social work role, allowing Social Work staff to work both inpatient and outpatient.
• Interprofessional Team Responsibilities:
  • Participate in the development and documentation in the medical record of a cohesive palliative care plan based on the assessment and recommendations of all team members.
  • Participate in scheduled team meetings and daily rounds.
  • Liaison with Social Work staff on primary care team.
• Teaching/Training/Research Responsibilities:
  • Participate in the development and operationalization of a new Post Graduate Social Work Fellowship Program in Palliative Care (to begin in 2022)
  • Collaborate with other Social Work staff in supervising and teaching of the incoming Social Work Fellow.
  • May choose to participate in training of MSW students as field instructor, preceptor or presenter.
  • Provide training to Michigan Medicine staff as well as external community organizations and groups regarding end of life issues and palliative care.
  • May choose to engage in research or quality improvement projects.
• Departmental Responsibilities:
  • Attend staff meetings
  • Participate in supervision and work group meetings
  • Participate in projects and/or committees.

Required Qualifications*

• Master’s degree (MSW) in social work from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education
• Current full license (LMSW) to practice social work in the State of Michigan, with clinical certification.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work as a member of an interprofessional team.

Desired Qualifications*

• Capable of making effective, independent judgment calls in a variety of demanding situations
• Must be flexible, adaptive, and able to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with grief and bereavement counseling or chronic illness/adjustment to illness counseling
• Experience facilitating family meetings and groups
• Experience working with patients living with chronic pain; experience with non-pharmacological symptom management techniques

Work Schedule

This is a 40 hour/week position- Monday – Friday Day shift, with one weekend coverage per month.

Work Locations

Primary location:

University Hospital

1500 E. Medical Center Dr

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Secondary location:

Rogel Cancer Center Ambulatory Care, Palliative Care Clinic OR Briarwood Family Medicine Clinic

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. Advancement through the career ladder at the Expert or Clinical Scholar Level is required for placement in the MSW Senior Classification

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Vaccine Requirements

COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all students, faculty and staff working in the following areas: Michigan Medicine including the Medical School, Dental School, University Health Service or the Mary A. Rackham Institute.  This includes those working remotely and temporary workers.   More information on this new policy is available on the U-M Health Response.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.