Reflections from in the Field: Mathew Skrezyna, 2nd year MSW student
I’m currently placed on 10 North, the Adult Inpatient Psychiatry Unit, at Stony Brook Hospital with Chris Loglia, LMSW for my second year of my MSW field placement. I work on Mondays and Thursdays on the unit and the daily tasks vary depending on the needs of the assigned case load for that day. One important task I do throughout my internship is treatment planning for patients to make sure each patient is cared for by a multi-disciplinary team of qualified healthcare clinicians including resident psychiatrists, nurses, mental health technicians, occupational therapists, activity therapists and social workers. Each plan I develop as a social work intern is individualized and adapted to the needs of each individual patient. Another important aspect of my role as social-work intern is family involvement. Active family involvement is essential to helping to gain background information and any additional information that may be useful throughout treatment of the patient on the unit. I also participate in discharge planning throughout my placement, and as a social work intern, I have to collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to meet the complex needs of each patient to ensure a safe discharge back into the community. I also communicate often with out-patient providers to make sure all appointments are made for patients upon discharge as well as make sure the patients have the necessary means to attend appointments such as telehealth devices. Stony Brook Hospital has made interning during COVID-19 an easy process and has even developed an FCC grant program that helps interns secure phones for patient’s that may not have had access to one for future telehealth appointments. Interning at the hospital has been a great experience. Everyday I see that there is so much more to learn than I originally expected but I’m excited to learn as much as I can and have the opportunity to participate in the great work this institution provides to its patients. Stony Brook Hospital is a dynamic placement that prepares you for the field of social work in a supportive environment.
