Social Work
Mission, Vision and Goals > Social Work Services > Employment Information > Student Field Instruction Program > Now and the Future
Mission, Vision and Goals
The mission of the Social Work Department is to provide comprehensive, quality social work services that enhance the psychosocial functioning of patients and their families.
The vision is to continuously strive for excellence in psychosocial assessment, treatment, discharge and aftercare planning to empower patients to maximize their functioning in the hospital and community.
The goals are to provide proficient social work therapy, education and services to patients and their families; to recognize and advocate for patientŐs rights; and to constructively interrelate and collaborate with all members of the treatment team in order to maximize the input of all members for the patientŐs best interest.
Social Work Services
The Spring Grove Hospital Department of Social Work delivers professional services to patients, their families and significant others within the mission of the hospital and the ethics of the Profession. Social Work has historically viewed persons in their environment and attempted to provide linkages with or to establish support systems to address the often complex issues facing our patients.
Social workers are actively involved in the preadmission screening process. This involves the assessment of the potential patients’ needs and whether or not they meet the criteria for admission. The admission process involves the admission interview which includes patient and family education regarding Advance Medical Directives, patients rights, services of the hospital and legal proceedings, i.e., involuntary hearings.
Social Workers render services to young adults, adults and elderly inpatients with mental health diagnoses which meet Utilization Review criteria for admission to the hospital. Social workers are assigned to every unit of the hospital and provide services to every patient admitted to meet their psychosocial needs on an individual basis as well as family and group therapy counseling services when indicated as part of the individualized treatment plan. The social work staff provides an array of services which includes: assessment of the psychosocial needs of the patient; planning of treatment in cooperation with the treatment team, the patient and significant others; therapeutic, brokerage and educational services as needed; facilitation of numerous services, such as socio-legal services, i.e., guardianships and conditional releases; coordination of discharge planning including assembling a social support system, assistance in obtaining entitlements, arranging for all aftercare needs as well as education about negotiating the vast service delivery systems after the hospital discharge. The aftercare plan represents the progress that a patient has made and provides outpatient resources to enhance and maintain stability toward an improved quality of life.
There is integration of social work services with other staff/departments of the hospital. This is vital in order to coordinate the services for our patients. Social Workers are an integral part of the collaboration with treatment teams on a daily basis, and also in administrative meetings, committees, performance improvement, process teams and division meetings.
Employment Information
The staff qualifications for employment of social workers at Spring Grove Hospital Center require the individual to have a Masters of Social Work degree (M.S.W.) and a valid license from the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. For any position beyond the entry level, there are additional requirements based on experience and licensure.
In order to be eligible for Social Work jobs in State psychiatric facilities (Mental Hygiene Administration) or in centers for retarded clients (Developmental Disabilities Administration), the graduating Social Work student needs to apply for inclusion on the "Social Worker I, Health Services", eligible list. The "Social Worker" series is for the Department of Social Services. Applications should be sent to the following address: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Personnel Testing Services Unit, PO Box 22330, Baltimore, MD 21203-4330, Telephone: (410) 767-1251.
Students can send in an application form (MS100) prior to graduation (within six months), as well as prior to taking and passing the licensing exam. This is an "open" list which means that applications are accepted at any time (not just at certain time intervals). It is an "unassembled exam" meaning that there is no written examination and you receive a non-competitive rating. Everyone receives the same score conditionally to acquiring the degree of M.S.W. and passing the licensure examination. However, you must pass the LGSW test before you can be hired into a position.
All persons hired must pass a six-month probationary period. However, they are covered by health insurance, pension plan, etc., from the date hired. Promotion to SW II, HS is automatic with "meet standards" job performance. After working three years and passing the LCSW exam, employees are eligible for SW III, HS.
Professional Social Work supervision is provided in all State facilities in order to become eligible to take the LCSW and LCSW-C test and acquire ACSW and vendorship.
New Social Work Employee Orientation and Competency Evaluation
The Social Work Department provides training to all new Social Workers through an extensive orientation program to the services of the Department and Hospital. New employees are required to have a competency evaluation/educational needs assessment at the beginning of their employment and at intervals of three and six months. The purpose of this evaluation/assessment is to determine the employees need for additional information or education to perform their job duties. If the position description requires competency in a specialty area with patients, i.e., forensics, research, geriatrics or medical, then a competency appraisal is completed annually for these specialty areas. Competency is judged annually for all staff by means of a Performance and Competency Appraisal geared directly to Social Work performance standards.
Continuing Education Requirements
Social Workers must meet the requirements of the Hospital and Social Work Department for continuing education and inservice training for professional growth. Each full-time Social Worker is required to obtain 24 continuing education units during the calendar year. In addition, Social Workers are required to obtain 24 CEU’s every two years which have been approved by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners, in order to maintain their license. In-service training is provided when needed due to new initiatives and policies or to improve performance/competency of staff.
Staff receive, through department meetings, conferences and written materials, on-going education and training on performance improvement processes and activities along with information about JCAHO Standards and HCFA Guidelines. Social Work staff regularly participate in cross-functional performance improvement teams to work on hospital-wide issues and thus contribute to improved care and treatment of patients.
Credentialing and Privileging
Social Workers are credentialed and privileged through the Department, with approval by the Medical staff. Social Workers must have approved delineated privileges in order to deliver specific services which require special training, experience and expertise. Credentials and privileges are reviewed at least every two years. Social Work supervision is provided on a regular basis to all staff in order to educate regarding performance standards, promote professional growth, offer support and fulfill the requirements of Social Work licensure law in Maryland.
Additional Information
For additional information, please contact the Social Work Department secretary at (410) 402-7459.
Student Field Instruction Program
The Social Work Department at Spring Grove Hospital began providing field placements to students in 1950. Currently field instruction placements are provided for Social Work students from schools with which there is a contract. These schools are the UMBC undergraduate program and the UMAB graduate program.
Role of Social Work Students
Social Work students begin their placements with a student orientation program which includes presentations on such topics as Patient Rights, Medical Record Documentation, Prevention and Management of Disturbed Behavior, and Psychopharmacology. Students may "shadow" the field instructor for a brief period and observe the work of the staff on the ward. After this introduction to staff responsibilities and patient care students gradually assume a small caseload. Students move forward at their own speed, with close supervision by the field instructors. As the placement continues students move toward greater independence.
By the end of field placement most students carry out all the duties of the staff Social Workers. Social Workers at the hospital provide a full array of services to the patients. These services include initial psychosocial assessments, individual, group, and family interventions, and discharge planning. Students are also part of the interdisciplinary team and attend staff meetings such as treatment planning meetings. Students also document in the patient charts under the supervision of the field instructor.
Field Instruction Settings
Students may be placed in Admissions units, Extended Care units, or the Research unit. Patients in the Admissions and Extended Care units display a wide range of diagnoses and represent different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The focus in the Research Unit is on patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Students, upon arrangement, may also visit other areas of the hospital, such as the Medical-Surgical unit, the Geriatric Unit, and the Forensic Unit in order to learn more about these specialty services. There is a wealth of experiences available to the eager student.
Field Instructors
All field instructors have a M.S.W. and are licensed at the certified level (LCSW-C). They have participated in the required orientation and training of the schools and have been approved by the Social Work Department administration.
Educational Opportunities
Various educational opportunities are available to students at no charge. These include the monthly Social Work Seminar, Grand Rounds, and other hospital programs. Specific Social Work student meetings may also be scheduled according to student interest and need.
Application Information
Interested students should contact their school field instruction program representative. After the school refers students to the hospital Social Work Department, students call the Coordinator of Social Work Education to arrange an appointment for a pre-placement interview. This interview is an exchange of information between student and staff, and includes a brief tour of the unit.
Additional Information
To obtain additional information you may call Ingrid Castronovo, LCSW-C, Coordinator of Social Work Education, at (410) 402-7550.
Now and the Future
Social Workers serve as vital members of interdisciplinary treatment teams. We continue to provide services from pre-admission screening to discharge planning. Social work has historically viewed persons in their environments and attempts to provide linkage with or to establish support systems to address the often complex issues facing our patients. The services provided may include individual, group and family therapy, education, substance abuse treatment, assistance obtaining medical, legal, and financial entitlements, and negotiating the vast service delivery systems. The aftercare plan represents the progress that a patient has made and provides outpatient resources to enhance and maintain stability toward an improved quality of life. As a department, we are active in maintaing professionalism, providing field instruction, meeting educational goals and reviewing and modifying our practices to enhance our services to patients.
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