Meeting your social worker
As part of the our care for children enrolled in clinical trials at the Clinical Center, your child may be assigned or referred to a social worker. Social workers often contact families before their first visit to the Clinical Center or soon after their arrival. At any time during their visit, families may ask to meet with a social worker.
What they do
Social workers help children and families cope with the emotional concerns of medical treatment. They work closely with Clinical Center physicians, nurses, spiritual ministry staff, recreation therapists, and the NIH school to address the emotional and social needs of young patients and their families.
The social worker can also help with practical issues of having medical care far from home. They can assist with travel, lodging, and can help locate financial resources, both within the NIH and in the community.
When patients are ready to return home, social workers can identify resources in the family’s local community and help coordinate care at home.
Contacting the Social Work Department
The Social Work Department is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. In emergencies, a social worker is on call after hours and on weekends. Feel free to call the Social Work Department at 301-496-2381.
We look forward to meeting your family and child.
This information is prepared specifically for patients taking part in clinical research at the NIH Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health. It may not apply to individuals who are patients elsewhere. If you have questions about the information presented here, talk to a member of your health care team.
