Collaborative

Practice:
Social Workers
Safia Omar
Objectives
• Requirements to become a social worker
• Explain the role of social workers in an interdisciplinary team
• Ways that social workers collaborate with nursing
Education required

• In the state of Texas, the title “social worker” is protected. In order to call oneself a social worker,
one needs a degree in social work from an accredited university and the corresponding license.

• Entry into the social work profession begins with a bachelors degree in social work from an
accredited university. The person next takes the Association of Social Work Boards licensing
exam. Once the person passes, they are now a Licensed Bachelors Social Worker (LBSW).

• In acute care hospitals, LBSWs are being phased out. In order to be employed at a hospital, one
must be at minimum, a Licensed Masters Social Worker or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Highest Degree Level

• There are three licensing levels to being a social worker in Texas. To be a Licensed
Bachelors Social Worker (LBSW), one must have a bachelors degree in social work.

• To be a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW), one must have a masters degree in
social work.

• To be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), one must be a LMSW, completed 3000
clinical supervision hours, and passed the licensing exam.

• The highest degree possible is a Doctorate of Social Work, but there is not a
corresponding license. LCSW is the highest license possible.
Functions of
Healthcare Team
Member
• At my hospital, social workers are a part of the case
management department and work alongside nurse case
managers.
• Social workers are essentially the discharge planners for
assigned patients.
• Social workers arrange transfers to the next levels of care,
such as rehabilitation facilities.
• For patients that are discharging to the community, social
workers arrange for the necessary medical equipment and
outpatient appointments.
 Functions of the
Healthcare Team
Member
• To address psychosocial needs, social workers will provide
community resources for shelters, food, and utilities.
• Social workers assist patients who have no payor source,
with obtaining charity for their medications and discharge
needs.
• Social workers provide resources for mental health needs
and substance use.
• For those in need of caregivers, social workers connect
patients and their families with senior living specialists to
help locate the proper care.
Physician Referral

• Every patient is assigned a social worker or nurse case manager. A

physician referral is not required.

• However, physicians may put in social work orders, specifically for

discharge needs. Some orders may state discharge placement assistance,
medical equipment needs, or outpatient needs.
National Certification

• There is a not a national social work license or compact licensing in states,

like there is a nursing compact. Each social worker must complete the
licensing process in each state that they practice in.

• Each state uses the ASWB licensing exams, so the social worker has to
submit their exam scores to each licensing board to receive reciprocity for
their license.
Collaboration
between Nurses and
Social Workers
• Nurses are at the bedside and may identify discharge planning needs
early on. For instance, a patient and their family may want to
discharge home, but the patient needs help with their ADLs. The
nurse would inform the social worker, who would then discuss with
the family the need to be trained on how to care for the patient
safely.
• If a patient or their family are aggressive towards staff, the social
worker, at times, can expedite their discharge to the next level of
care.
• The charge nurse is the go-between physicians and social workers. A
great charge nurse will facilitate communication to ensure patients’
needs are met.