Medical Social Worker

aah; United States; On-site; USD 43,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits eligible

Job summary

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in the Chicago area is seeking a Social Worker to manage discharge planning for hospital inpatients. You will assess needs, document plans, and coordinate with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe transitions.

MSW is required; licensure as a Social Worker, Clinical, and hospital experience preferred. The role involves collaboration with care management, community resources, and adherence to licensure standards and NASW ethics.

Qualifications

• MSW from accredited school of Social Work.
• Licensed Social Worker (Clinical) required or eligible.
• Knowledge of discharge planning and NASW code of ethics.

Responsibilities

• Assess discharge planning needs for inpatients.
• Complete initial evaluation and document in medical records.
• Collaborate with physicians and care team to plan continued care post-discharge.
• Coordinate with physicians, insurers, case managers, and therapy staff.
• Develop and update discharge plans and document in records.
• Act as liaison to arrange community resources and safe discharges.
• Lead patient care conferences and communicate updates to team.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement in care management.

Skills

Counseling

Discharge planning

Team collaboration

Documentation

Education

MSW

Job description

Department

11202 Advocate Lutheran General Hospital - Administration: Care Management

Status

Full time

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Hours Per Week

40

Schedule Details/Additional Information

Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, rotating weekends and holidays

Pay Range

$30.70 - $46.05

Major Responsibilities

Discharge planning for hospital inpatients

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

Provision of counseling services to patients and families

• 1) Utilize crisis intervention techniques when indicated.
• 2) Evaluate patient/family support systems, financial support, lifestyles for patients and/or families.
• 3) Provide adjustment counseling with emphasis on education/support.
• 4) Provide information regarding community resources for ongoing counseling services.
• 5) 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

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

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

• 1) Continuing education is a professional responsibility
• 2) Continuing education units (CEU's) required for licensure will be completed and documented within NASW timeframes.
• 3) Conducts inservices on assigned units as indicated and appropriate
• 4) Conducts support groups as assigned
• 5) Provides patient, family, significant other education as needs are identified.

Preparation of statistical records

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

Functions as a member of the care management team

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

Contributes to Continuous Process Improvement activities

• 1) Offers innovative ideas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department.
• 2) 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-by-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.

Our Commitment to You

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more - so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

• Compensation
• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on c