The social worker provides counselling to assist clients and their family/careers to deal with the emotional impact of injury, illness and disability and to undertake discharge planning.  This includes coordinating the family meeting, care-giver training and pass-outs if required.

• The initial screening and evaluation of patients and families.
• Helping patients and family members deal with the many aspects of the patient’s condition – social, financial, and emotional including contacting employer for possibility of return to work, assistance with completion of insurance forms etc.
• Acting as an advocate for patients and families – including as an advocate for the patient’s health care rights.
• Aid and expedite decision-making on behalf of patients and their families.
• Educating patients on the roles of other members of the team – including nurses, physical therapists, etc.
• Crisis intervention
• Educating patients and families about post-rehabilitation care and co-ordinate patient discharge and continuity of care following discharge.
• Helping patients adjust to their inpatient rehab setting.
• Liaising with relevant stakeholder (e.g. employer, department of social development, department of Home affairs, COIDA , UIF and insurer) to facilitate either employment, temporary disability, UIF or application for disability grant . This includes ensuring all documentation required are completed prior to discharge
• Educate patients and their families about the patient’s condition.
• Participate in discharge planning and carer training.
• Contribute to weekly team and family meetings.
• Keep accurate and timeous records and reports.
• Effectively respond to queries and handle accordingly.
• Function effectively as a part of an interdisciplinary team to meet the requirements of quality patient care.
• Attend and contribute towards Continuous Professional Development activities of the unit.
• Supervision and training of university students, as required.
• Promote and maintain sound and productive relationships with referral sources and stakeholders in the field of Rehabilitation.