Social Worker - IMFH - Fetal Care Center

Within the Institute for Maternal Fetal Health (IMFH), the Nemours Fetal Care Center (NFCC) and Advanced Delivery Unit are expanding the scope of service to include comprehensive prenatal, obstetrical, and postpartum care for women whose unborn child has been diagnosed with a birth defect or complex medical condition requiring immediate multidisciplinary pediatric care during the neonatal period. In addition to currently available prenatal imaging used to diagnose these conditions, IMFH is expanding services to include invasive diagnostics and fetal intervention procedures, ranging from minimally invasive ultrasound-guided procedures to open maternal-fetal surgeries. Care counseling in this setting also includes complex care consultation and planning, including, but not limited to, the option of perinatal palliative care in cases involving life-limiting fetal or neonatal conditions. The IMFH Psychosocial Support Program is being developed to support the mental health and wellness of expectant parents and families who face significant risks of trauma, mood disorders, and challenges in coping with ongoing stress associated with a fetal diagnosis.

The IMFH Social Worker is a key member of the Psychosocial Support Program within the Nemours Institute for Maternal Fetal Health (IMFH). Serving in both the outpatient Fetal Care Center and the inpatient Advanced Delivery Unit, this role is responsible for providing advanced social services as part of a specialized interdisciplinary team. Primary responsibilities include conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments within the perinatal setting, providing crisis intervention services, promoting healthy coping strategies, and addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) through resource provision and the facilitation of appropriate psychosocial referrals.

The IMFH Social Worker serves as a champion for perinatal mental health screening by utilizing a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) approach. This includes screening for psychosocial and behavioral health concerns, delivering brief interventions that promote coping and adjustment, and facilitating timely referrals to treatment and supportive services when indicated. With leadership approval, the Social Worker may also facilitate patient and caregiver peer-support groups and group-based educational programming. These activities are distinct from individual, family, couples, or group psychotherapy services.

This position is responsible for providing comprehensive social work services to patients and their families in accordance with the job responsibilities outlined in this document. Core responsibilities include:

• Conducting perinatal psychosocial assessments and supporting patient and family coping skills and medical decision-making.
• Utilizing an SBIRT model of care to champion universal perinatal mental health screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment and supportive services.
• Connecting patients and families with community resources to address SDOH needs.
• Providing crisis intervention and protective services, including the assessment of child abuse and neglect.

The associate is expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and respect at all times and adhere to all Psychosocial Support Program policies, workflows, standards, and operational expectations. All services are provided in accordance with local and federal laws, as well as the policies, procedures, and guidelines established by Nemours Children's Hospital and the Nemours Institute for Maternal Fetal Health.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Conduct universal perinatal psychosocial assessments, including evaluation of patient/family safety, psychosocial strengths, and wellbeing; develop and regularly update care plans based on ongoing reassessment of patient and family needs.
2. Support universal perinatal mental health screening; conduct mental health assessments, provide brief trauma-informed supportive interventions focused on psychoeducation, problem-solving, and acute coping skills, and appropriately refer to appropriate treatment providers.
3. Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation services as indicated for the management of interpersonal violence, psychiatric crisis, child abuse, and family disputes.

4. In the setting of complex collaborative care in expectant families with a life-limiting fetal diagnosis, the IMFH Social worker will work with the IMFH Perinatal Bereavement Coordinator to provide supportive services focused on disposition planning, securing financial resources for burial or cremation, and coordinating with funeral homes as needed.

5. Assess for and support families in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) needs by providing resource navigation, care coordination, and referrals, including linkage to housing, travel, utility support, insurance, and public benefits (e.g., Medicaid, Social Security). Liaise with legal, child welfare, and government programs as indicated. 
6. Coordinate safe and sustainable discharge of patients in an efficient, effective, and timely manner 

7. Actively participate in interdisciplinary planning and patient care meetings, including (but not limited to) IMFH fetal list reviews and Psychosocial Support Program rounds, meetings, trainings, and quality initiatives as assigned

8. Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation within the patient’s medical record and in all required research-related documentation, in accordance with IMFH standards.
9. Respond accurately and promptly to all communications (e.g., email, secure chat, phone, text) related to IMFH operations and patient care, in alignment with hospital policies and standards.

10. May facilitate patient/caregiver peer-support groups or other group-based educational programming with leadership approval.

11. Establish and maintain effective working relationships across disciplines. Assist in facilitating recommendations resultant of team meetings.
12. May provide training, supervision, modeling, and clinical support to social work students, volunteers, and licensure candidates within the scope of the Associate’s licensure level and demonstrated clinical competencies.  May precept newly hired IMFH social workers where appropriate.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a Human Services related field (SW, counseling, etc) and at least 2 years post-masters work experience required Applicants with a master’s degree or higher in Social Work or Social Services (MSS or MSW):
  Minimum active Delaware LMSW required with two (2) years of post-licensure experience.

• Active Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) preferred. 

• Active Delaware LCSW Preferred

Nemours Children's Health is an internationally recognized pediatric health system serving more than 1.7 million patient encounters each year. We deliver care across six states through two freestanding children’s hospitals — Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware and Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida — along with a network of more than 80 primary, urgent, and specialty care practices and more than 40 hospital partnerships.

Backed by the Nemours Foundation and Alfred I. duPont Trust, our $1.7B nonprofit system is dedicated to improving children's health through clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention. Our Whole Child Health approach focuses equally on prevention and treatment, partnering with communities to help every child thrive.

Inclusion and belonging guide our strategy and growth. We are committed to culturally relevant care, reducing health disparities, and fostering an environment where every associate, patient, and family feels supported and valued.

Learn more at Nemours.org.