PURPOSE: This rule establishes the requirements for social work services in a hospital.

1. (1) The hospital shall have an employee designated who—

   1. (A) Serves as the director of social services;
   2. (B) Is responsible for the daily management of social services; and
   3. (C) Is qualified by education, training, and experience.
2. (2) When the director is not a qualified social worker, a qualified social worker shall be employed on a part-time or consultant basis. The qualified social worker shall make visits to the facility to monitor and evaluate the psychosocial and discharge planning needs of the patients. SENIOR SERVICES
3. (3) The social service program shall include: care coordination, a method of screening to determine the psychosocial and discharge planning needs of the patient; a method for assessing and documenting such needs and of providing appropriate social service interventions, including discharge planning and counseling; and a process for referrals to community agencies when appropriate.
4. (4) Social services including discharge planning shall be integrated with other direct patient-care services of the hospitals. A social service assessment and plan of action shall be implemented for each patient who has need for social services.
5. (5) Written policies and procedures relating to the quality and scope of social services shall be reviewed and kept current.
6. (6) Freestanding rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation distinct part units shall make social services available to identify and help resolve personal and social problems interfering with the rehabilitation process; enhance the social functioning of patients; help patients understand and effectively use medical and rehabilitation services; help families of patients adjust to the patient’s disability and participate effectively in the rehabilitation program; and identify and develop resources within the rehabilitation hospital and the community which are needed by patients.

7. (7) Freestanding psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric distinct part units shall have social services staff. Their purpose shall be to identify and help resolve personal and social problems interfering with the treatment process, enhance the social functioning of patients; help patients understand and effectively use medical and psychiatric services, help families of patients adjust to the patient’s disability and participate effectively in the treatment program and identify and develop resources within the behavioral health hospital or unit and the community which are needed by patients.

   1. (A) There shall be a director of social services who monitors and evaluates the quality and appropriateness of social services furnished. The director of social services shall have a master’s degree from an accredited school of social work or shall be qualified by education and experience in the social services needs of the mentally ill. If the director of social services does not hold a master’s degree in social work, at least one (1) staff member shall have this qualification.
   2. (B) The social services staff shall participate as members of the treatment team, exchanging information and evaluations with the physician and other professional disciplines in order to ensure a comprehensive treatment program for patients. Essential information regarding the patients’ social situation and social history shall be recorded in the patient’s chart to aid the treatment team and other disciplines in understanding the patient and developing an appropriate plan of treatment.

AUTHORITY: section 192.006, RSMo 2000, and section 197.080, RSMo Supp. 2013.* This rule previously filed as 19 CSR 30- 20.021(3)(I). Original rule filed June 27, 2007, effective Feb. 29, 2008. Amended: Filed Dec. 31, 2013, effective Aug. 30, 2014. *Original authority: 192.006, RSMo 1993, amended 1995 and 197.080, RSMo 1953, amended 1993, 1995.