Medical Social Worker - Home Health - Per Diem / Days - Req#2030315771

Antelope Valley Medical Center; Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider seeks a dedicated Medical Social Worker to support home health patients through compassionate care and effective communication. In this role, you will assess patients' social and emotional needs, advocate for their well-being, and connect them with community resources. The ideal candidate will possess a Master's degree in Social Work and have at least one year of relevant clinical experience. Join a team committed to excellence and patient-first values, where your contributions will significantly impact the lives of those you serve.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited institution.
• At least one year of clinical experience as a Medical Social Worker is required.

Responsibilities

• Assess social and emotional factors related to patients' illnesses and care requirements.
• Act as patient advocate and provide counseling on necessary services.
• Maintain clear documentation of interventions and patient responses.

Skills

Effective Communication Skills

Critical Thinking

Compassionate Care

Organization

Basic Computer Skills

Education

Master of Social Work

Job description

The Medical Social Worker provides support, active listening and counseling, resource identification, and assistance for home health patients.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Assesses the social and emotional factors related to the patient’s illness, requirements for care, response to treatment and progress toward established goals.
• Demonstrates understanding of the relationship between medical and nursing needs and the individual’s home situation, financial resources, and availability of community resources.
• Takes appropriate action to obtain available community resources to assist in the resolution of patients problems.
• Acts as the patient advocate, protects patient confidentiality, and provides counseling on services required by patient.
• Demonstrates knowledge regarding special needs and behaviors of age specific groups and demonstrates proficiency in required age specific competencies.
• Demonstrates understanding of patient’s insurance coverage for social services.
• Maintains own schedule for patient visits and communicates visit plans with Director of Patient Care Services and / or Case Manager.

Communication

• Able to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and office staff.
• Acts as a resource for patients to ensure understanding and compliance of the assessment plan.
• Participates in interdisciplinary case conferences, in-service programs, and committee meetings.
• Communicates to Case Manager, physicians and / or Director of Patient Care Services changes in the patient condition and needs.

Documentation

• Prepares complete, concise and clear documentation of planned interventions, patient’s response to treatment, changes in patient condition and coordination with other services.
• All documentation is completed timely within agency policies.
• Effective oral and written communication skills for reporting and recording clinical findings.

Education

• Participates in age specific educational and training programs.
• Participates in Quality Improvement (QAPI) process as requested in Utilization Review (UR), chart audits, and PI committees.
• Participates in orientation of other department Medical Social Worker’s.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of the Practice of Social Worker including assessment of patient’s social needs, counseling services, and community resources.
• Thorough knowledge of agency’s policies, procedures and practices.

Skills

• Caring bedside manner : demonstrates ability to provide services with compassion and caring.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with Case Managers / Director of Patient Care Services (DPCS) and patient / caregivers, as appropriate.
• Strong critical thinking skills.
• Basic computer skills required.

Abilities

• Organization – must demonstrate basic ability to maintain schedule of home visits and complete paperwork according to agency procedures.
• Must have good communication skills and have the ability to connect with patients and families in their homes in a kind and compassionate way.
• Ability to project and maintain professionalism in all aspects of patient’s care
• Ability to function independently seeking assistance when appropriate
• Ability to take ownership of patient’s plan of care including establishing an appropriate plan of care, overseeing that care is done according to plan of care, communicate with physician and revise plan of care as needed.
• Ability to understand basic Home Health regulations and financial impact of care being provided.
• Ability to oversee that all aspects of the patient’s care meets all regulations, and that payment is authorized as required.

AVH Values : All AVH employees will effectively demonstrate these values :

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone. Success is about the whole team.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.

Education and Experience :

Education

• The Social Worker must have completed all education required in order to obtain a Master’s degree in Social Services.
• Master of Social Work degree from a school of Social Work accredited or approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

Experience

• At least one year recent and relevant clinical experience as a Medical Social Worker.
• Home Health experience preferred.

Required Licensure and / or Certifications :

• Current CPR certification
• Maintains a valid California driver’s license and evidence of current auto insurance.

AVH Conduct / Compliance Expectations :

• Ability to adhere with AVH Absenteeism and Tardiness Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Leaves of Absence Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Recording of Hours Worked Policy
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette / standards
• Conforms to AVH Standards of Excellence
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVH
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
• Conforms with required and appropriate Joint Commission requirements
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines
• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education
• Display a willingness to work as a team player
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient / customer satisfaction at all times
• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its established policies.
• Ability to follow the Code of Conduct.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions :

• Must meet job physical standards : vision, hearing, and manual dexterity.
• Must be able to tolerate repetitive hand and arm movements.
• Able to walk to and from patient home and employee vehicle.
• Able to lift and / or carry up to 10 pounds.
• Home Care : Exposure to a variety of home environments; may involve exposure to variable weather conditions.
• Hospital : If doing direct patient care, a description of the physical requirements of the job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

Education and Experience :

Education

• The Social Worker must have completed all education required in order to obtain a Master’s degree in Social Services.
• Master of Social Work degree from a school of Social Work accredited or approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

Experience

• At least one year recent and relevant clinical experience as a Medical Social Worker.
• Home Health experience preferred.

Required Licensure and / or Certifications :

• Current CPR certification
• Maintains a valid California driver’s license and evidence of current auto insurance.