Career Center

Department Overview

OREGON, Portland. Oregon Health & Science University, (OHSU), is a leading health and research university that strives for excellence in patient care, education, research, and community service. Casey Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology at OHSU is recruiting a Social Worker to join our Faculty.

OHSU Casey Eye Institute is a premier academic medical center providing eye care for adults and children in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We treat eye conditions from the most straightforward to the most complex, and offer expert care in all ophthalmology specialties. Learn more about our clinics and services.

Since 1945, OHSU Casey Eye Institute doctors and vision scientists have worked side by side to discover the causes of eye disease and find new treatments. Bringing research and patient care together helps us turn possibilities into realities

OHSU Casey Eye Institute is a "High Performing" eye hospital, which means we are ranked in the top 10 percent nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

Portland is an increasingly popular destination with vibrant city life and rich culture, a variety of neighborhoods and great restaurants. It is in the heart of the Pacific Northwest - an outdoor playground with four seasons, mild winters and ready access to the mountains, rivers and beaches.

The Social Worker offers social work intervention for all clinics of Casey Eye Institute, through direct treatment and provision or coordination of needed services to inpatients and outpatients and/or their families experiencing psychosocial adjustment difficulties associated with illness, injury, disability, and related hospitalization. The primary goal of the intervention is to assist patients in achieving maximum physical and psychosocial functioning. The Social Worker participates in or provides resources for professional education programs within the organization and community. May provide social work consultation to community agencies.

Function/Duties of Position

1. Psychosocial Assessment: Engages in case finding and conducts interviews with patients, patient's families, and other appropriate resources to gather information necessary in identifying/ evaluating the psychosocial, cultural, and financial conditions of patients referred by agency staff, community professionals, families or other sources; prepares assessments regarding patient functioning capacity (including behavior, coping abilities, and attitude toward illness, injury disability, or hospitalization) and support systems available for treatment planning; provides in-depth consultation to community professionals, agency staff, or other persons seeking guidance in meeting patient needs; may participate in treatment team meetings with various health care staff, to provide psychosocial assessments which are used in establishing treatment goals.

2. Patient Services: Refers patient/family to outside resources for assistance (such as financial, vocational, schools, transportation, insurance, housing, medicine) and assists family in gaining access to resources; may develop discharge plans emphasizing continuity of care, appropriate placement and maximum use of appropriate resources; serves as an advocate for the patient within the medical setting and the community; maintains knowledge of community resources for patient care; may interact with Medical Social Service Specialists to ensure delivery of specific patient-care services.

3. Counseling: Provides short- and long-term counseling to patients and/or their families; provides supportive counseling to reinforce patients' strengths and assist them in dealing with the stress and feelings of grief, fear, and anger associated with serious illness, injury, hospitalization, or disability; counsels patients to assist them in decisions regarding treatment options or decisions; conducts group sessions to provide information to patients and their families on treatment methods and what to anticipate on a social, emotional, or physical level from the treatment; may participate in emergency or on-call situations by providing crisis intervention services to patients and/or their families.

4. Training: May assist in training medical residents and other agency staff regarding department activities, programs, services, and social work practices, including the field of medical social work; attends patient care conferences and actively contributes to case reviews; provides in-services to department, unit, or community professionals regarding areas of expertise.

5. Departmental Functions: Contributes to the development and evaluation of new programs to meet identified patient needs; provides community education programs to pertinent social concerns; assumes an active role in meetings and supervisory conferences for the purpose of information exchange, education, and enhanced patient care.

6. Documentation: Prepares psychosocial assessments, histories, and treatment recommendations for patients' hospital charts and department records; maintains written record of all social work involvement with patient; prepares accurate and timely statistics on assigned cases.

7. Miscellaneous: Attends conferences and seminars to maintain up-to-date knowledge of social work practices and principles.

Required Qualifications

A Master's in Social Work (MSW) is required. A certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is preferred. Healthcare experience preferred.

The ability to plan and organize technical work and to adapt to a changing work environment is critical. Must be able to assess and develop work tasks and systems in order to optimize clinic performance. Strong relationship-building skills with patients, health plans, providers, staff, and management. Exceptional customer service skills - both in person and on the phone. Exceptional interpersonal skills, the ability to resolve conflicts and problem-solve between parties. Patient advocacy skills - evaluate patient concerns for timely resolution. Sensitivity to patient needs. Demonstrated evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage competing priorities. Ability to meet deadlines and urgent patient and system needs. Demonstrated innovation, initiative, and creative problem-solving skills are imperative. Ability to work independently; willingness to serve as a positive and professional role model. Must have demonstrated a record of reliable attendance, punctuality, and proven successful performance in the past and present.

Preferred Qualifications

A certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is preferred. Healthcare experience preferred.

All are welcome