N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.12.39

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 23, December 10, 2024

Section 8.370.12.39 - SOCIAL WORK SERVICES

A.Organized service. If the healthcare system provides social work services there should be corresponding written policies and procedures governing the scope and provision of services. If the system does not have employed providers for social work services, then they must be obtained via consultation with outside sources.

B.Personnel.

(1) Direction: Social work services shall be directed by personnel who have:

(a) a master's degree in social work from a graduate school of social work accredited by the council on social work education, and has one year of social work experience in a health care setting; or

(b) a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology or psychology; meets the national association of social workers standards of membership; and has one year of social work experience in a health care setting.

(2) Staff: The social work services staff, in addition to the service director, may include social workers, caseworkers and social work assistants at various levels of social work training and experience.

(3) Number of staff: There shall be a sufficient number of social work services staff to carry out the purpose and functions of the service.

C.Service: The social work services shall be integrated with other services of the hospital. Staff shall participate, as appropriate, in patient rounds, medical staff seminars, nursing staff conferences, and in conferences with individual physicians, nurses, and other personnel concerned with the care of a patient and the patient's family.

D.Functions: Social work services shall address the psychosocial needs of the patients, their families and others designated by the patient as these relate to health care. Services shall be clearly documented in the record.

E.Environment: The facilities or social work services staff shall provide privacy interviews with patients, their family members and others designated by the patients.

F.Quality improvement: The service shall be part of the hospital's performance improvement program.

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.12.39

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, June 25, 2024, eff. 7/1/2024