title: From organizational awareness to organizational competency in health care social work: the importance of formulating a "profession-in-environment" fit.
abstract: Today's health care environments require organizational competence as well as clinical skill. Economically driven business paradigms and the principles underlying the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 emphasize integrated, collaborative care delivered using transdisciplinary service models. Attention must be focused on achieving patient care goals while demonstrating an appreciation for the mission, priorities and operational constraints of the provider organization. The educational challenge is to cultivate the ability to negotiate "ideology" or ideal practice with the practical realities of health care provider environments without compromising professional ethics. Competently exercising such ability promotes a sound "profession-in-environment" fit and enhances the recognition of social work as a crucial patient care component.
authors.affiliation: a Health Care/Social Service Consultant , Glen Allen , Virginia , USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Spitzer
authors.forename: Ed
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011361:Professional Competence; D024382:Professional Role; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: hospital social work; leadership; organizational awareness; profession–environment fit