Medical Social Work Research Paper

Social workers serve vulnerable populations. Social work as a profession offers numerous employment opportunities that allow one to work in a career field that encompasses one or more of the populations served that piques the social worker’s interest and passions.
The subfield Social Work in the Medical Field (Medical Social Work) encompasses different arenas, such as, hospitals, hospices, long-term care facilities, community health agencies, and outpatient clinics. Within the area of medical social work, there are numerous opportunities for a social worker to further specialize in order to serve a medically vulnerable population of interest. Different sub-specialties, for example, pediatric medicine, Cancer centers, hospitals, home health,

Hospices, and research, among others, offer the social worker a wide variety of employment opportunities to serve and practice social work.
The purpose of this paper is to research medical social work, a field of practice, at the local level.

This is accomplished by broadly defining medical social work and identifying specific professional qualifications of social workers practicing in this area. Two local agencies, Via Christi Regional Medical Centers and Serenity Hospice, providing services in medical social work are reviewed to include agency mission, services, programs and medical practice. Two potential topics of ethical concerns while working in medical social work are addressed and pertinent guidelines from the NASW Code of Ethical are reviewed. The last section of this research paper presents professional qualifications for social workers to practice in medical social work, potential benefits of medical social work practice and potential challenges to working in the area of medical social work.

Medical social work has enjoyed a long history in the United States. The medical social work model was envisioned by physician, Richard Clarke Cabot. Along with his close friend and medical social work pioneer, Ida Cannon, the team created the medical social work model during the United States’ Progressive Era (Praglin, 2007).
Medical social work is a sub-discipline of social work. The medical social worker is a member of an interdisciplinary team that collectively participate in patient care and advocacy. In addition to the social worker, a medical interdisciplinary team can consist of physicians, nurses, physical,

occupational, speech and recreational therapy (PT, OT, ST, and RT), and pastoral care.
The job duties of the medical social worker vary depending on the venue in which the medical social work practices. Medical social workers can be responsible for such duties as psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, bereavement support, information and referrals, risk assessment, financial management, family education, crisis intervention, and patient and family advocacy.
Professional Qualifications
Professional qualifications for medical social work differ depending on the agency. There are limited positions for the Bachelor level social worker (LBSW). The majority of medical social work positions require a Licensed Master’s level Social Worker (LMSW). Finally, select agencies require advanced clinical licensure (LSCSW).
In addition to social work education, the medical social worker needs the ability to effectively communicate with the different interdisciplinary team professionals. Therefore, the medical social worker needs basic medical knowledge. Additionally, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers a variety of certifications for medical social workers that further their education and experience in a given field (NASW, n.d.).
Via Christi Regional Medical Centers
Via Christi Regional Medical Centers are a result of the corporate merger of two Wichita
Medical Centers, Saint Francis, located at 929 North Saint Francis and Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Centers, located at 3600 East Harry, on October 1, 1995. Originally, Saint Francis Hospital was purchased in 1889 by a congregation of nuns, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother and Saint Joseph was opened by a congregation of nuns, the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Via Christi has provided health care services in the community for over 100 years.
Via Christi Mission and Services
Via Christi states the agencies Mission Statement as: Inspired by the Gospel and our Catholic tradition, we serve as a healing presence with special concern for our neighbors who are vulnerable.
In addition to the Mission Statement, Via Christi offers a list of the agency values to which each associate of the organization is expected to adhere. The agency values are:
 Service of the Poor - Generosity of spirit, especially for persons most in need
 Reverence - Respect and compassion for the dignity and diversity of life
 Integrity - Inspiring trust through personal leadership
 Wisdom - Integrating excellence and stewardship
 Creativity - Courageous innovation
 Dedication - Affirming the hope and joy of our ministry
Overview of Agency Programs
Programs for pediatric patients
Several programs are offered for child that is ill or injured.

Via Christi cares for the pediatric population. The Grant and Norma Davis Child Life Center is a specialized pediatric inpatient unit for a variety of illnesses or injuries afflicting a child. In addition, Via Christi offers a pediatric intensive care unit for the critically ill child. Both units meet the unique developmental and psychological needs of a child, utilizing the interdisciplinary medical model. The team includes physicians specializing in pediatric care, nurses, therapists, child life specialists, chaplains and social workers.
Programs for senior behavior health services
Via Christi maintains a 28-bed inpatient senior behavioral health hospital ward. The unit offers different treatment options for the geriatric population who are not persistently mentally ill and my not thrive in a general psychiatric unit. Senior behavior health utilizes also utilize the interdisciplinary model to meet the unique needs of the elder population.
Programs for survivors of

assault
Via Christi Forensic Nursing provides care to approximately 350 patients per year. The patients are a survivor of sexual and physical assault, including child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence and human trafficking. In addition to the multidisciplinary medical team, Via Christi has partnered with law enforcement and other community resource agencies to ensure that the patient is safe and there is sufficient advocacy for the survivor.