Purpose
Society for Transplant Social Workers
Certified Clinical Transplant Social Worker
Purpose Statement
The purposes of the Certified Clinical Transplant Social Worker credential are:
- to recognize individuals who have met professional standards and who possess clinical expertise based on specialized knowledge, skills, and experience in transplantation
- to help members of the Society for Transplant Social Workers distinguish themselves in today's competitive market
- to enhance professional and public recognition
- to reassure patients and their families of professional social work services specific to transplantation
- to increase awareness of transplant social work as a highly specialized, professional classification of clinical social work
- to provide a mechanism for the attainment of a professional distinction and expertise
- to promote professionalism within the transplant social work community
Core Functions
The core functions of a Certified Clinical Transplant Social Worker are as follows:
- psychosocial assessment and psychosocial diagnosis – of living donors and transplant recipients pre- and post-transplant
- psychosocial interventions, treatment planning, implementation, and coordination
- psychotherapy and/or counseling on issues related to:
- adjustment to disability and chronic illness
- adjustment to machine dependency
- adjustment to life-threatening or terminal illness
- end of life care
- adherence to one's medical treatment plan
- preparation for the waiting period
- donors
- financial challenges
- rehabilitation, including physical, emotional, and social issues
- crisis intervention
- case planning, case management, resource management, care planning
- patient advocacy, resource brokering, and information and referral services
- continuity of care planning, including reassessment and evaluation
- admission diversion planning
- patient and family health education to maximize patient wellness and graft survival
- interdisciplinary collaboration and consultation
- documentation, report writing, and record keeping
- discharge planning and coordination
- program development and resource development
- clinical research and publishing
Please click here to read a UNOS Update regarding the credential!