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Department of Social Work Programs for Professionals

Social work professionals in the HSS Department of Social Work Programs are committed to providing the highest level of care to the patients and families of our hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, as well as for the diverse communities we serve through our model programs, including disease-specific initiatives. Our department members share their expertise by taking on leadership positions in community and professional organizations, and have been awarded special acknowledgement for their contributions.

As leaders in healthcare, we are committed to enhancing opportunities for staff development, as well as demonstrating leadership related to patient, staff, organizational and community-related concerns. Some of these initiatives include: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs, Social Work Staff Development Committee, Journal Club, Complex Case Conference; Departmental Safety Committee; Access to Care Improvement Team; Complex Pediatric Medicaid Managed Care Issues; Employee Engagement, Pain Conference, and Social Work Graduate School Intern Program.

The Department also plays an integral role in HSS’ Community Service Plan for the New York State Department of Health. For further information about our Charla de Lupus/Lupus Chat® initiatives in the areas of reproductive and nutritional health, LANtern’s ® (Lupus Asian Network) capacity building with organizations concerned with Asian American health care, and VOICES 60+ Senior Advocacy Program’s outreach related to physician-patient communication and home safety, please visit the HSS Community Service Plan.

Learn more about our affiliations, student opportunities and professional development resources in the tabs below. 

National Professional Organizations 

Reflecting our commitment to our community of professional peers, the Department hosts quarterly educational meetings of the Society for Social Work Leaders in Health Care (New York Chapter) - where social work directors, managers, and staff social workers from the greater New York Metropolitan area benefit from presentations from experts in the field - designed to enhance skills and knowledge base for both social workers entering the field, as well as seasoned practitioners.

Our national memberships reflect the commitment we have to keep our knowledge of best practices current in our areas of focus.

  • National Association of Social Work
  • Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP)
  • Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care
  • American Society on Aging
  • American Pain Society
  • American Public Health Association

Community Collaborations

Our professional social work staff actively participates in federal initiatives such as the Office of Women’s Health Campaign for Lupus Awareness and the National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)’ Task Force on Cultural Diversity. We also present at peer reviewed national professional conferences such as the American College of Rheumatology, Aging in America, and Office of Minority Health’s Leadership Summit, and serve on community and professional councils, to share our knowledge with colleagues to facilitate positive outcomes for patients, families, and communities. 

We participate in and support community voluntary organizations that help serve the needs of New Yorkers with chronic rheumatologic and musculoskeletal conditions. This includes the following organizations:

  • Arthritis Foundation
  • East Side Council on Aging
  • East Harlem Inter-Agency Council on Aging
  • The Myositis Association
  • SLE Lupus Foundation

We welcome the opportunity to explore community collaborations. 

Social Work Graduate School Student Internships

As part of its commitment to professional education, the Department of Social Work Programs has provided internships for Master’s level social work students for over 40 years. Currently, we serve as a field placement for students from Columbia University and New York University. Students are supervised by our experienced social workers and training is aligned with the educational goals of professional schools of social work. A breadth of opportunities is available related to direct practice as well as programmatic learning. Students may elect work with specific populations, support, education, and community based programs, and in our ambulatory care center. Our student internship program is an integral part of the department, with students actively participating in many learning opportunities, including our Social Work Journal Club, Complex Case Conference, Staff Meetings, and specialized trainings offered throughout the academic year. Students interested in applying for internship opportunities should contact their school’s field work offices.

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer opportunities are available in the Department of Social Work Programs in a variety of roles. Volunteers may assist social workers by identifying patient needs, providing peer support to patients and community members with specific health concerns, educating patients on insurance related information, assisting with clerical and administrative tasks, and participating in program events or special projects, among other responsibilities.

Volunteers may be eligible for school credit as arranged with their high school or college. We frequently partner with LaGuardia Community College and Hunter College, as well as other area schools. You may contact us directly with an identified interest. Additional information may be obtained by contacting HSS’s Volunteer Department directly at 212.606.1228.

Professional Development Presentations

In keeping with the HSS Mission, we plan, sponsor, and implement programs that enhance the education of the interdisciplinary team so that they can best meet the needs of the communities they serve.

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