Which professional is most likely to work in a hospital setting to coordinate resources after discharge?

Which professional is most likely to work in a hospital setting to coordinate resources after discharge?

• A. School Social Worker
• B. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
• C. Medical Social Worker
• D. Social and Human Service Assistant

Answer: (C)

Coordinating post-discharge resources in a hospital relies on someone who works within the medical team to bridge clinical care with community supports. A medical social worker is trained to assess a patient’s psychosocial needs, collaborate with doctors, nurses, and discharge planners, and arrange services such as home health care, durable medical equipment, transportation, and connections to community resources. They also help navigate insurance coverage and set up follow-up care to support a safe, continued recovery, which is exactly what discharge planning requires. Other roles don’t fit as well because they focus on different settings or duties. A school social worker works primarily in educational environments with students and families. Mental health and substance abuse social workers provide behavioral health services in clinics or community settings, not the hospital discharge coordination in most cases. Social and human service assistants support social workers and other professionals but don’t typically lead discharge planning.

Coordinating post-discharge resources in a hospital relies on someone who works within the medical team to bridge clinical care with community supports. A medical social worker is trained to assess a patient’s psychosocial needs, collaborate with doctors, nurses, and discharge planners, and arrange services such as home health care, durable medical equipment, transportation, and connections to community resources. They also help navigate insurance coverage and set up follow-up care to support a safe, continued recovery, which is exactly what discharge planning requires.

Other roles don’t fit as well because they focus on different settings or duties. A school social worker works primarily in educational environments with students and families. Mental health and substance abuse social workers provide behavioral health services in clinics or community settings, not the hospital discharge coordination in most cases. Social and human service assistants support social workers and other professionals but don’t typically lead discharge planning.