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Social Work
From the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics "the primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being, and help meet the basic human needs of all people with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to and address problems in living."
All Medical Social Workers at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth have a Master's Degree in Social Work and provide assessments, group/individual counseling, and referrals for individuals and families experiencing complex medical problems. Social Workers are assigned to some of the following areas: Psychiatry, General Surgery, Mother Baby Unit, Breast Cancer Center, HIV Program, Dialysis Unit, and the Outpatient Crisis Intervention Program. All other requests for adult services are normally submitted directly to Social Work Services for assignment at 953-5861. Social Work hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 0700 - 1800, and all consults are usually seen within 72 hours. However, when a referral involves a child, the Pediatric Department should be contacted directly at 953-2990/1.
Specialty Social Work Services
Mother Baby Unit Social Worker provides the following assistance to families:
1. Support and guidance during pregnancy and early infancy
2. Assistance in reducing isolation and stress
3. Providding education regarding postpartum care, parenting, and community resources
4. Maximizing the family's potential for optimal growth and development
5. Assisting service members with plans to return to duty after childbirth
6. Alleviating stress that frequently accompanies a high risk pregnancy
The Breast Cancer Social Worker provides women and their families:
1. Psychosocial Evaluation
2. Individual and group counseling
3. Community resource information and referral
4. Breast Cancer Support Group Meetings
5. Bereavement Support
The Social Worker provides the following assistance to patients with HIV disease:
1. Emotional Support related to: anger, frustration, and shame reactions
2. Helplessness and loss of control issues
3. Endurance with telling others
4. Coping Skills Education
5. Medical Compliance Support
6. Relationship and sexual difficulties education and support
The Dialysis Social Worker provides assistance to patients and families experiencing the following issues:
1. Adjustment to chronic illness and treatment as they relate to quality of life
2. Crisis and chronic problem solving
3. Educational, vocational, and activity of daily living problems
4. Resource needs, including finances, living arrangements, and transportation
The Behavioral Care Crisis Intervention Program Social Worker provides:
1. Insight orientated group treatment
2. Individual counseling dealing with work and family adjustment issues
3. Family assessments when indicated
4. Information and referral to appropriate community/military resources
The General Surgery Social Worker provides patients:
1. Psychosocial evaluation
2. Medical crisis counseling
3. Community resource information and referral
The Pediatric Social Worker provides patients:
1. Psychosocial evaluation of patient and family needs.
2. Medical crisis counseling
3. Support and guidancce.
3. Community resource information and referral
Last Updated: 03 Dec 2001
