Oregon Health & Science University·Portland, Oregon
Provides biopsychosocial assessments, crisis intervention, and short-term counseling to patients and families across various hospital units. Coordinates care and advocates for patients while assisting them in adjusting to new diagnoses and hospitalizations.
Department Overview The Medical Social Worker, as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, provides biopsychosocial assessment, brief counseling, care coordination, information/referral, crisis intervention, patient advocacy and associated services to patients, families, significant others and other community agencies who may be involved in the patient's care.
The Medical Social Worker directs efforts towards assisting patients and their families with adjusting to new diagnoses, changes in physical functioning, challenges of hospitalization, and eventual readjustment to the community.
The Social Work Department has corresponding teaching and research functions related to health and healthcare delivery practices.
The Medical Social Worker provides direct intervention on an as-needed basis with infants, children, adolescents, adults and elderly patients and/or families.
The Medical Social Worker will practice in accordance with performance standards, ethical principles, and core values with a commitment to service excellence.
This position may provide social work services to patients admitted anywhere in the hospital including Adult units, Pediatric units and the Emergency Department depending on department need, or assist with coverage needs for other care management social work services.
Adult Float Social Worker primary role is to support the Care Management Adult Social Work Team.
Providing additional coverage across units and covering services due to vacations, sick calls, and leaves as needed.
The Float social worker is expected to be flexible in coverage across service line needs within the hospital.
Function/Duties of Position Conducts psychosocial evaluations of patients/families and significant others including but not limited to the following: adjustment to medical or health condition; care coordination; mental health status; adjustment/compliance to treatment process; substance usage; child and elder abuse/neglect assessments; domestic violence issues; cognitive status (including potential guardian issues); and patient/family resources.
Provides crisis intervention and supportive short-term counseling to patients/ families and significant others as necessary to meet immediate psycho-social needs including but not limited to: Trauma/Emergency Department/ On Call/ Family Notification, CODE Response (family intervention); unanticipated change in health conditions/suicidal ideation; teenage pregnancy; single parent pregnancy/ parenthood, domestic violence, child and elder abuse/neglect.
Provides grief/loss counseling and education regarding fetal demise; actual/pending death of patient/family member; complicated pregnancies; pregnancy termination support, postpartum depression; chronic/acute stress associated with life circumstances; divorce/separation; loss of independence associated with illness or disability.
Provides brief psychotherapy including individual short-term psychotherapy; group work including information/support groups, family support, patient therapy); regarding but not limited to issues of adoption, abortion, domestic violence, family of origin, sexual/gender, substance abuse, parenting, relationship adjustment to disabilities and chronic or acute illness.
Provides patient advocacy and associated services to patient/family and other involved agencies/parties regarding decision-making; advance directives; ethics consultations; court holds; guardianship/conservatorship; citizenship cases; and social cultural factors.
Other duties as Assigned Required Qualifications A Master’s Social Work (MSW) required.
Health care experience preferred.
Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required for employees who practice clinical social work.
Bilingual language skill are strongly preferred Additional Details Requires prioritization. Frequent interruptions in an environment of frequent change and fluctuations. For inpatient units accepts accountability and responsibility. May be exposed to body fluids, tissue, possible radiation exposure, and infectious processes. Subject to computer work for several hours, as needed. Able to utilize office equipment within work area. Posted 7/8/2026 1:17pm Why apply to OHSU? We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu
Requires a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and a CSWA or LCSW license for clinical practice. Healthcare experience and bilingual language skills are preferred.
Market context
In Oregon, behavioral-health peer support roles often see steady demand in community mental health, recovery, and crisis support settings. These positions are competitive because employers look for lived recovery experience, certification eligibility, and practical requirements like a valid Oregon driver’s license and background clearance. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then confirm your certification path and gather documentation before applying.
