Medical Social Worker

Advocate Health Care; Park Ridge (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care is seeking a Social Worker to support discharge planning for hospital inpatients. You will assess needs, document plans, and coordinate with care teams to ensure safe and timely discharges.

The role emphasizes collaboration with physicians, case managers, and allied health professionals, with a focus on community resources and patient education. Licensure as a Social Worker and MSW are required, and familiarity with NASW standards is expected.

Qualifications

• MSW from an accredited school of Social Work with field experience in a hospital setting.
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or equivalent as required.
• Knowledge of NASW code of ethics and standards.
• Ability to work with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Complete initial evaluation and place in medical record per department policy.
• Collaborate with physicians and hospital disciplines to develop plans for continued care after discharge.
• Coordinate with physicians, HMO, PPO, case managers, PT, nursing, and others regarding discharge needs.

Skills

Counseling

Discharge planning

Crisis intervention

Documentation

Collaboration

Education

MSW (Master of Social Work)

Job description

Major Responsibilities

• Complete initial evaluation and place in medical record according to department policy.
• Collaborate with Physicians and other hospital disciplines to proactively develop plans for continued care after discharge.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Physicians, HMO, PPO, Case Managers, Physical Therapy, Nursing and other personnel regarding discharge needs.
• Develop and update the discharge plan and document the plan in the medical record according to departmental policy.
• Act as community liaison to arrange resources and enhance safe and timely discharges.
• Organize and attend patient care conferences to further identify each patient’s potential discharge needs.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with all referral sources.

Discharge planning for hospital inpatients

• Assess patients for discharge planning needs.
• Complete initial evaluation and place in medical record according to department policy.
• Collaborate with Physicians and other hospital disciplines to proactively develop plans for continued care after discharge.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Physicians, HMO, PPO, Case Managers, Physical Therapy, Nursing and other personnel regarding discharge needs.
• Develop and update the discharge plan and document the plan in the medical record according to departmental policy.
• Act as community liaison to arrange resources and enhance safe and timely discharges.
• Organize and attend patient care conferences to further identify each patient’s potential discharge needs.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with all referral sources.

Provision of counseling services to patients and families

• Utilize crisis intervention techniques when indicated.
• Evaluate patient/family support systems, financial support, lifestyles for patients and/or families.
• Provide adjustment counseling with emphasis on education/support.
• Provide information regarding community resources for ongoing counseling services.
• Provide age specific appropriate assessment and counseling for patients and family support systems.

Timely and complete documentation to meet licensure and third party payor requirements

• Documentation of assessment and/or plan entered in the medical record adhereing to hospital policy.
• Documentation reflects accurate psychosocial assessment, case progress, and plan of action

Provision of inservices to assigned units and attendance of educational seminars as appropriate

• Continuing education is a professional responsibility
• Continuing education units CEUs required for licensure will be completed and documented within NASW timeframes.
• Conducts inservices on assigned units as indicated and appropriate
• Conducts support groups as assigned
• Provides patient, family, significant other education as needs are identified.

Preparation of statistical records

• Conducts monthly audits and enters data as per department policy.

Functions as a member of the care management team

• Attends patient care conferences and multi-disciplinary team conferences.
• Keeps staff informed of Social Work progress on open cases and notifies appropriate personnel of updates and changes.
• Collaborates with members of the health care team as indicated
• Evaluates the patient/family’s psychosocial needs in relation to the medical situation.
• Continuously collaborates with the assigned case manager.
• Prioritizes referrals.

Contributes to Continuous Process Improvement activities

• Offers innovative ideas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department.
• Collects data as requested by department head.

Licensure: Social Worker, Clinical Education/Experience Required: MSW from accredited school of Social Work and field experience within a hospital setting.

The candidate must recognize age specific needs and behaviors.

Must adhere to NASW code of ethics and standards.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: Demonstrates competence in counseling and discharge planning. MSW (Licensed Social Worker Masters) from accredited school of Social Work and field experience.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

N/A If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015.

Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-case basis. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.