Social Work Services at St. Luke's

Illness and hospitalization can be stressful and overwhelming. St. Luke’s Social Workers are an integral part of a patient’s health care team, and help patients and their families resolve social, psychological, cultural and financial concerns when unexpected illness or hospitalization occurs.

St. Luke’s Social Workers are generally available Monday - Friday, 8am - 5 pm. The Emergency Department has social workers available 24 hours, 7 days a week. For more information, please call (208) 381-2616.

About St. Luke’s Social Workers

St. Luke’s Social Workers are licensed mental health professionals. The majority are masters-prepared and many have advanced, clinical licensure.

Social workers are available at St. Luke’s in Boise, Meridian, Wood River, St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI) Twin Falls, MSTI Nampa, MSTI Fruitland and Hospice/Home Care in Boise and McCall. Social workers serve as members of the patient care team and work closely with physicians, nurses, clergy, financial counselors and other health care professionals in the following areas:

• Medical/Surgical
• Heart Institute
• Pediatrics/PICU
• Newborn Intensive Care(NICU)
• Mountain States Tumor Institute
• Home Care
• Hospice
• Children’s Special Health Program
• Emergency Department
• Women’s Services
• Children At Risk Evaluation Services (CARES)

Social Work Services at St. Luke’s

Psychosocial Care: Social workers help the patient care team identify patient and family situations and individual needs to help patients cope effectively during their treatment/hospitalization and after discharge.

Crisis Intervention and Support: Social workers provide support and services to patients and their families facing a crisis or trauma situation.

Resource & Referral: Social workers help patients and their families identify and access financial and community resources.

Safety: Social workers help patients who may be in unsafe relationships.

Psycho-Education and Counseling: Social workers assist patients and their families as they adapt to life-changing diagnoses, disability, and/or loss.

Complicated Discharge Assistance: Social workers work with the patient care team to identify barriers and resources to help patients return to their home or community.

Care Management: Social workers help connect patients to primary health resources and services that reduce patient need for Emergency Department services.

End of Life Care: Social workers counsel patients and their families facing end of life decisions, assist in the completion of Advanced Directives, and provide bereavement services.

Art Therapy, Relaxation Techniques, and Psychotherapy: Social workers work with St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program to provide these important services.

Support Group Facilitation: St. Luke’s offers a number of support groups, including: Grief Support, and Living Through Cancer. Call St. Luke’s at 381-9000 for more information.

Pharmaceutical Prescription Assistance Coordination: Social workers can help many patients who do not have adequate financial resources or insurance to identify and/or apply for programs that help with medications for long-term conditions or illnesses.