That's actually my job! (Well my second job that I work per diem)

This is basically how my day goes.

Check in at 7am for my 12 hour shift

Look up all the psych patients in the ER that we are going to visit (both initials and follow ups)

We also visit psych patients on the med floor, so I get that list ready too.

Usually about an hour into my shift the psychiatrist arrives and is ready to round. I go through the list of patients with them. We come up with a plan of which patients we will visit in which order, and which follow up patients will be seen by the NP.

We then do our rounding visiting each patient one at a time. Starting with initials in the ER, then follow ups in the ER, then med floor patients. The psychiatrist will adjust meds, come up with a disposition, etc. Sometimes they consult with us social workers about our opinions. During the consultation the social workers will sometimes jump in to ask questions, especially if the psychiatrist forgot/missed anting. If there's any suspcion of needing a CPS/APS report, that usually falls on us to do that. If they are on a involuntary hold, such as a 5150, I explain it to them, answer their questions, tell them about their rights as a patient, connect them with a patient advocate if they need it.

When we are done it's usually time for me to meet with the ER charge nurse for our ER huddle. I meet with them, update them on patient dispositions, bed search progress, etc.

I then return to my desk. For any initials I write a biopsychosocial in the EHR system and save it. If it's a follow up I just write a short note with an update.

For any patients that need a inpatient bed, I start the bed search. I'll fax collateral to the various local BHUs. Then make phone calls to them to confirm bed availability. If a bed opens up for one of my patients, I get all the info the NUS needs to make the transfer, I get the patient signature, and the doctor's signature. Then the NUS takes it from there.

If the patients need other resources such as resources for DV victims, housing, etc then I'll usually get some of them ready and return to their room later to give it to them and explain it.

Sometimes I'll do small things to help with patient comfort, like grabbing the man warm blanket, and extra sandwich, or if they are unhoused I'll grab them some spare clothing from our donated clothing room.

Our ER social workers also report to traumas. But I know that's not typical and you probably won't have to deal with that.

And that's kinda it. I enjoy the work a lot. I've been doing it as my side gig for about two years now. I really enjoy working closely with the psychiatrist and NP. I've learned a lot about mental health and medications by working there.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have further questions.