Harborview Medical Center (HMC) is the region's only Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center. Patients are referred to Harborview from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho for treatment for trauma, burns, complex orthopedic injuries, neurosurgical interventions, HIV/AIDS, sexual assault, mental health services and other specialty treatments. The medical center also is home to more than 50 primary, specialty and sub-specialty clinics. Harborview is owned by the residents of King County, governed by a board of trustees appointed by the King County Council, and managed by the University of Washington.

This placement will focus on patients located on medical/surgical services. These patients may present with exacerbations of chronic health issues, or may present with a new illness or injury that requires additional services, supports, or facility placement. Many patients face barriers to services based on socioeconomic challenges, mental health diagnoses, and substance use. The main focus of social workers on a medical/surgical service is discharge planning and connecting patients to community resources.

A social work student in this placement will obtain experience in an acute care inpatient hospital setting with specialization in:
· Crisis and supportive intervention
· Facilitating communication between patients, families and staff
· Psychosocial assessments
· Discharge planning
· Linkage with community resources
· Collaboration with an interdisciplinary team
· Domestic, elder and child abuse victims
· LNOK and Guardian search
· Grief interventions

An MSW student will gain understanding of interdisciplinary work in the medical setting, working with diverse populations with multiple psychosocial needs. HMC is filled with patients that are struggling with co-morbidities that limit the resources available to them because of their high level of acuity. Patients range from all economic and cultural backgrounds that often lead to difficult discharge planning. A successful student will be able to adjust to a fast pace and be able to deal with a variety of personalities both as a clinician and a peer. The student should be open to direct feedback, be able to reflect on situations and ask pertinent questions to gain a better understanding of the system, and the student should be flexible to emergency situations that often occur throughout the day.

N/A

A successful student will be able to adjust to a fast pace and be able to deal with a variety of personalities both as a clinician and a peer. The student should be open to direct feedback, be able to reflect on situations and ask pertinent questions to gain a better understanding of the system, and the student should be flexible to emergency situations that often occur throughout the day.

Interview Process: Students meeting placement requirements should submit a cover letter and resume to Rachelle White at raden@uw.edu. If you are seeking to start your placement in the summer, please include this information in your cover letter. If you have questions prior to submitting your resume, please contact Rachelle at 206.744.2658. Interviews will be completed, selections made, and students notified by the School of Social Work deadline.

Practicum Instructors: Jessica Warmbo, LICSW, SUD & Angela Neely, MSW