Full employer posting
Medical Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) – Case Manager / Discharge Planner Location: Mission Viejo, California
$2,460 per week
Days, 5x8 hours (8:00 AM – 4:30 PM) Contract Length: 13 weeks Start Date: ASAP Guaranteed Hours: 40 hours per week.
We are seeking an experienced Medical Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) to join an acute care hospital case management team. The role focuses on inpatient discharge planning, care coordination, patient assessments, and arranging post-acute services to support safe and timely patient discharges. The ideal candidate must have at least one year of acute care hospital experience and prior travel experience.
This position is not suitable for candidates whose experience is limited to behavioral health or emergency department social work. Responsibilities Conduct initial patient assessments within 24 hours of admission. Manage a caseload of approximately 20–23 patients.
Coordinate discharge plans and post-acute care services. Arrange home care, durable medical equipment (DME), medical transportation, rehabilitation, and long-term care referrals. Collaborate with physicians, interdisciplinary teams, insurance case managers, and utilization management teams.
Assess patient and caregiver needs and develop individualized plans of care. Provide patient and caregiver education regarding discharge plans, available resources, and coverage requirements. Assist with advance directives, guardianship, protective services, and other social service needs as appropriate.
Maintain accurate documentation in the electronic health record. Help ensure safe, timely, and cost-effective transitions of care. Requirements Active California state license appropriate to the role; required license must be in hand at submission.
MSW and/or LCSW credentials as applicable to the position. BLS certification. At least 1 year of acute care hospital experience .
Previous travel experience required; first-time travelers will not be accepted. Epic experience is mandatory. Experience in inpatient medical social work, case management, and discharge planning.
Strong assessment, care coordination, communication, and documentation skills. Trauma Level I or Level II experience preferred. Schedule & Additional Details Day shift, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM.
The position generally supports an adult unit, with an anticipated Sunday–Thursday schedule; scheduling may change based on staffing needs. Five-day workweek; days off may vary and are not guaranteed to be consecutive. Approximately 40 hours of orientation.
Floating to nearby sister facilities may be required. Candidates must be available to work 3 of the following 5 holidays : Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Time-off requests must be submitted upfront and are limited to 7 days, subject to approval.
Local candidates within 50 miles may be considered at a lower bill rate. Important: Candidates must have acute care inpatient hospital experience and Epic experience. Behavioral health-only and ED-specialized social workers will not be considered.