The Social Service Department is primarily responsible for the provision of Social Work conducted on the following inpatient nursing units: Watkins I, Watkins II, ICU, OB/Pediatrics and Behavioral Health Units - Geri Psych and Mental Health as well as outpatient areas including the Emergency Department, Special Procedures, Surgical Day Care, Oncology, Partial Hospitalization Program, and the Wound Care Center. We are also involved in hospital wide and community outreach initiatives.
Community Outreach Initiatives includes coordinating community events, fairs, legislative events, and community resource directory. We host a variety of programs internally and externally for outreach and educational opportunities. We provide information and referral services, Advanced Directives/Health Care Proxies to the community free of charge. The director is also responsible for the Multicultural Service Department which is responsible for diversity initiatives, interpreter services and spiritual services; Case Management and Utilization Review.
We coordinate hospital wide programs such as Schwartz Center Rounds, Multicultural Task Force, Care Transition Committee, lead the Gardner Area Interagency Team (GAIT), and Co-lead the Montachusett Suicide Prevention Task Force to name a few.
We serve on the multidisciplinary teams on each unit, Patient/Family Advisory Council, Medical Ethics Committee, Utilization Review Committee, Corporate Compliance as well as participate in community activities and boards such as:
Montachusett Suicide Prevention Task Force, Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Coalition, Multicultural Task Force, North Central Mass Minority Coalition, CHNA 9 Steering Committee, and GAAMHA's Human Rights Committee.
The Social Service Department is readily available to assist the patient, the patient’s family and other persons significant to the patient with the issues which may develop as a result of illness and hospitalization and services patients of all ages. The Social Worker counsels the patient and family to help with the impact of illness or disability. The Social Worker considers the patient's emotional, social, environmental and psychological needs and helps the patient with establishing a service plan in accordance with the identified needs, assists in discharge planning activities, and is a member of the multidisciplinary team.
The provision of Social Work services is based on individual patient need, but generally includes an assessment, planning, and follow-up of each patient through an organized multi-disciplinary team approach. This approach helps a patient following discharge. In accordance with accepted social work practice, the department functions in cooperation with administration, the medical and nursing staff as well as other departments within the Hospital to help the patient obtain maximum benefit from medical and psychiatric care.
Location
The main office is located on the 2nd floor.