Social Service Workers play an important role in patient care at Providence Care, helping individuals and their care partners navigate systems, access resources, connect with their community and support their overall well-being.
A small but important team of six social service workers advocate and help patients transition from Providence Care Hospital back to the community. Social Service Worker Sara Rhymer is one of them.
“As a social service worker, I get to help patients work on the external factors that influence a person’s situation and outlook. The work I do is not easily quantifiable or tangible to measure like physical therapy is in the hospital, but it is very rewarding work. Witnessing progress – when the patient you are working with overcomes obstacles and achieves their goals is very fulfilling,” says Sara.
Sara works with patients on the complex medical management inpatient unit, helping develop discharge plans and preparing them for the next step in their journey.
“I am one piece of their recovery and rehab journey. I work with patients to look at their environment and any potential barriers or concerns with returning home. My hope and intent when working with patients is to make their transition home as smooth and as seamless as possible, while ensuring they have what they need to cope with the emotional, financial, and social needs that arise with a diagnosis, critical illness or changed circumstances.”
Social service workers help with system navigation, providing support letters, assisting in completing applications, information & resource sharing, placing community referrals, and provide psychoeducation to patients and their care partners on the hospital discharge process.
Each patient has unique, individualized needs and Sara works closely with the inter-professional team, consulting with them daily to develop a patient’s discharge plan. Sara says this multi-disciplinary approach is important for patient-centered care, and ensures the team meets the needs of each patient.
“I find it so rewarding when there are opportunities to assist patients in gaining skills to advocate for themselves and make positive life changes. It is the interactions I have with patients that foster resilience, instill hope and ambition, motivate them to get better and achieve their goals. Patients often tell me in the hours leading to their discharge they were incredibly grateful for my involvement. They felt a sense of relief, reduced feelings of overwhelm, stress and anxiety, knowing they have someone to help get what they need.”
During Social Service Worker week, let’s give a huge shoutout to these amazing professionals who support patients, helping them to thrive as they move forward on their journey to recovery. They bring hope, equip patients with the right tools and resources and stand up for their needs—making them a vital part of the healing journey.
