Referrals to the Department

A request for social work or case management consultation may be initiated by any member of the health care team as follows:

• Verbally (in person or by phone)
• During Medical Rounds
• Via patient assessment form
• Via the order communications system
• By use of the Roswell Park "Consult Request Form" (#F-131)
• By written order of physician

Referrals can be made to see the following:

Social Work Clerical Staff - Social Work clerical staff are able to provide basic information regarding community resources, (e.g. American Cancer Society, Leukemia Society of America, Social Security Disability, etc.). They are also available to assist patients and families in securing lodging and transportation.

Medical Social Workers - Medical Social Workers are professionally trained counselors who offer emotional support to the patient, families and significant others. Medical Social Workers offer the following services: psychosocial assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, assist the patient/family/significant other with a variety of difficulties which encumber them, assist patient’s family/significant other with acceptance of diagnosis and need for altered life style, assist with medical compliance of physician’s orders, assist other staff members to identify the social, emotional and economic factors related to the patient’s health situation.

Medical Social Work staff are also knowledgeable about a wide range of community resources and can provide referrals to assist clients with entitlements, legal assistance, counseling, health care proxies, and information to empower decision making.

Case Managers - The Case Managers coordinate the care and service of selected patient populations across the continuum of illness; promotes effective utilization and monitoring of the health care resources; and assumes a leadership role with the interdisciplinary team to achieve optimal clinical and resource outcomes.

Case managers are available to assist patients, families and team members to access services and develop a comprehensive plan of care.

Documentation of service or consult is located on an outpatient progress note or Case Management dictation form in the medical record.

Child Life Specialist - The Child Life Specialist provides activities and services to meet the psychosocial, emotional and developmental needs of pediatric patients and families. Provides consultation and services to children of adult patients upon referral.