Program Description:
This hybrid, asynchronous course combines recorded and written material that provides a practical, practice-focused overview of social work roles and responsibilities in emergency department settings. Participants will examine trauma-informed, crisis-oriented interventions used with patients and families experiencing acute medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial stressors. The course addresses common emergency department challenges, including high utilizers, behavioral health crises, substance use, violence, and complex discharge planning. Legal, and regulatory considerations relevant to emergency department social work practice are integrated throughout, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and safe care transitions.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the primary roles and responsibilities of social workers practicing in emergency department settings. 2. Apply trauma-informed and crisis-intervention strategies when working with patients and families experiencing acute medical, psychiatric, or psychosocial crises. 3. Assess common emergency department social work challenges, including high utilization, substance use, behavioral health emergencies, violence, and complex discharge barriers. 4. Recognize and apply ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements relevant to emergency department social work practice, including surrogate decision-making, mandated reporting, and documentation standards. 5. Implement effective interdisciplinary communication strategies to support safe dispositions, continuity of care, and patient-centered outcomes.
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for professionals working in hospital and emergency department settings who are involved in crisis response, psychosocial assessment, and care coordination. It is especially beneficial for: Emergency department and hospital-based clinical social workers Case managers and care coordinators (RN or social work background) Discharge planners and utilization or care management staff Social workers transitioning into emergency or acute care roles Interdisciplinary team members seeking a clearer understanding of ED social work functions
Meet Your Course Author, Tiffany Ferguson
Tiffany Ferguson is CEO of Phoenix Medical Management, Inc. Tiffany serves as an adjunct professor at Northern Arizona University, Department of Social Work, and as the Vice-Chair of American College of Physician Advisors (ACPA) UM Ops Committee. Tiffany is co-author of The Hospital Guide to Contemporary Case Management through HcPro. She is a contributor for RACmonitor; she also serves on the editorial board for CMSAToday and Care Management. She is a weekly correspondent for the news podcast Talk Ten Tuesday. After practicing as a hospital social worker, she went on to serve as Director of Case Management and quickly assumed responsibilities in system level leadership roles in Health & Care Management, which includes CM, UR, CDI, HIM, and coding. She has held C-level responsibility for a large employed medical group which included value-based arrangements and outpatient care management. Tiffany is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and earned her Master of Social Work from UCLA. She is a licensed social worker and holds the ACM, CMAC, ACPA-C, and FCM credentials.
Meet Your Course Author, Kalie Wolfinger
Kalie Wolfinger, LCSW, is the Manager of Clinical Services for Phoenix Medical Management. Kalie brings nearly 13 years of clinical social work expertise across primary care and hospital settings. Her diverse experience includes roles in emergency department clinical social work, integrated behavioral health within primary care, and case management in hospital inpatient psychiatric units and general hospital settings. In addition to her healthcare contributions, Kalie is an educator in higher education, teaching both Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs. She also maintains a private practice, specializing in supporting first responders, crisis intervention, trauma, and dissociation and is certified through the ACMA. She holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on Nursing Leadership.
Course Agenda and Outline:
This self-paced course includes focused instruction through short video lectures, downloadable handouts, and clinical practice tools. Each module includes interactive knowledge checks and real-life case applications. 1. Introduction to Emergency Department Social Work Overview of the emergency department environment Scope of practice and role clarity Interdisciplinary team dynamics 2. Trauma-Informed and Crisis-Oriented Practice in the ED Principles of trauma-informed care Crisis assessment and stabilization Patient and family engagement during acute stress 3. Common Presenting Issues in Emergency Department Social Work Behavioral health emergencies Substance use and intoxication High utilizers and complex psychosocial needs Violence, abuse, and safety concerns 4. Assessment, Disposition, and Discharge Planning Psychosocial assessment in time-limited settings Disposition planning and community resource coordination Barriers to safe discharge and risk mitigation 5. Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Considerations Surrogate decision-making and guardianship Mandated reporting requirements Documentation standards and professional boundaries 6. Interdisciplinary Communication and Collaboration Communication with medical providers and nursing staff Patient and family advocacy Continuity of care across settings 7. Course Summary and Knowledge Review Key practice takeaways Application to professional social work practice
Course Completion Requirements
The course is completed after viewing the modules and completing the reading. Each module includes practical tools, real-world examples, and a brief knowledge check to reinforce learning. Post-test requirements-Participants must achieve a passing score of at least 80% to receive continuing education credit. If a participant does not pass on the first attempt, they will be provided with one opportunity to retake the test after reviewing the course materials. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, the participant will be encouraged to revisit the course content and may request additional support or clarification before attempting the test again. The post-test must be completed, along with the course evaluation before a certificate is issued. The course certificate will be delivered via email within one week of evaluation completion. Phoenix Medical Management has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #17829, for 1.5 Contact Hour. Phoenix Medical Management, 1902, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 11/10/25-11/10/26. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 general continuing education credits. This program has been pre-approved by The Commission to provide continuing education credit to CCM® Board-Certified Case Managers. The course is approved for 1.5 CE contact hours.
Registration and Info:
Please contact Vanessa Blutrich at [email protected] to register and if you have any questions, concerns or need special accommodations. System Requirements: Internet access and a modern web browser.
$80.00