Section 11-93-33 - Social work services(a) Staffing: (1) If the facility offers social services, a member of the staff of the facility shall be designated as responsible for social services;(2) The director of the social work department, or a social worker consultant shall be licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. In the event such laws provide for voluntary licensure, registration or certification, the director of the social work department or the consultant shall meet eligibility requirements of those federal and state laws. If the designated person is not a social worker, the facility shall have a written agreement with a social worker for consultation and assistance as frequently as necessary but at least on a quarterly basis;(3) The social work staff shall be sufficient in number to meet the needs of the patients;(4) The social work staff shall have appropriate facilities to provide for privacy during interviews and counseling;(5) Inservice training appropriate to the staff and patient needs shall be provided at least quarterly for all social work staff, and shall be documented.(b) Social work services: (1) Social work services shall be available to patients and their families to assist them in dealing with the impact of illness on individual and family functioning and to achieve maximum benefits from health care services.(2) Social work assessment and treatment shall be provided by the social worker or social work designee when indicated for a patient. Social work plans with measurable goals, objectives, and time frames shall be documented in the patient's medical record.(3) If financial assistance is indicated, arrangements are made promptly for referral to an appropriate agency.(4) Records of pertinent social data about personal and family problems medically related to the patient's illness and care, and of action taken to meet the patient's needs shall be maintained in the patient's medical record.(5) If the facility does not provide social services, it has written procedures for referring patients in need of social services to appropriate social agencies. If social services are provided by an outside resource, a record shall be maintained of each referral to such resource.(6) Policies and procedures shall be established for ensuring the confidentiality of all patients' social information.(7) The policies and procedures for the social work department shall be current, and planned or reviewed by the director of the social work department, or a social work consultant at least annually.[Eff. 3/3/86; am and ren AUG 3, 1992] (Auth: HRS §§ 321-9, 321-11) (Imp: HRS §§ 321-9, 321-11)