In a hospital, every role is essential to providing exceptional care. But beyond medical treatment, there's a team dedicated to supporting families in ways that go beyond medicine—our Social Work team.
Social workers at Nicklaus Children's Hospital are more than just caregivers; they are advocates, problem-solvers, and compassionate guides. They help families navigate complex systems, connect with essential resources, and provide emotional and financial support during difficult times.
Working alongside all hospital departments, our social workers are active participants in multidisciplinary care teams. They identify patient needs, provide assessments, and ensure that care plans address not just the medical, but also the emotional and social well-being of our patients.
Through strong partnerships with organizations like Live Like Bella, the American Cancer Society, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities, we connect families with vital support, including housing, food assistance, and financial aid.
But their impact is deeper than paperwork and logistics. Social workers provide counseling, advocate for patients' rights, and address challenges such as child abuse, neglect, homelessness, and mental health concerns. Their role is pivotal in ensuring that families feel supported, informed, and empowered.
Our Social Work team also plays a crucial role in hospital-wide initiatives, ensuring every department understands how social determinants of health impact patient care. They bridge gaps, offer insights, and work collaboratively with teams across the hospital to enhance patient outcomes.
At Nicklaus Children's Hospital, we believe that healing happens in many ways. Our social workers are at the heart of that mission, ensuring that every child and family receives the comprehensive care and support they need to thrive.
Hours of Service
Social Work Services are available to patients and famlies:
Monday – Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to midnight.
The evening social worker on duty can always be reached via the operator. There is always an off-site, on-call social worker from 11 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. The on-call social worker is available by pager for phone consultations as well as for in-person response to complex cases. All Nicklaus Children's Hospital social workers hold MSW degrees and many are Florida licensed.
Social Work Services
- Psychosocial assessment and goal oriented treatment planning
- Crisis intervention
- Short-term individual and family counseling
- Discharge planning
- Patient/team conferences
- Case management
- Parent support groups
- Information and referral
- Identification of, and appropriate intervention with, child abuse/neglect cases as well as with domestic violence cases
- Patient/family education and staff in-services
- Assistance with Advance Directives and DNR process
- Grief/bereavement counseling
- Assistance with complex funeral/burial arrangements
- Interventions with diverse systems outside Nicklaus Children's Hospital
- Post-mortem conference coordination
- Short-term post-discharge phone or outpatient follow-up