Social Worker

WVU Medicine; Ranson, Northern (WV, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

West Virginia University Health System (WVUHS) seeks a social worker to provide counseling and discharge planning support for patients and families. You will assess needs, coordinate with the care management team, and document plans in the EMR.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Social Work and current licensure, plus strong communication and teamwork. Flexibility with hours may be needed; the team collaborates across hospitals, clinics, and community resources to optimize patient care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work required.
• Current license as WV LSW or state equivalent where services will be provided.
• Two years of social work experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Complete comprehensive assessments to develop safe discharge plans with psychosocial and financial considerations.
• Assess changes to physician plans and impact on discharge.
• Review discharge plans and document changes in the EMR.
• Identify post-discharge needs and initiate referrals to optimize resource use and timely transfers.
• Collaborate with hospital and community resources to meet patient needs (income assistance, transportation, meals, etc.).
• Assist in obtaining advance directives and MPOA; guide Living Will completion.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Team collaboration

Computer literacy

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work

Job description

Provides social work services to patients, their families and/or significant others through counseling, emotional support, assisting with environmental needs, crisis intervention, and group leadership.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field.
• 2. Must possess current license as required by state board where services will be provided: WV: Licensed Social Worker (LSW) through the West Virginia Board of Social Work OH: Licensed Social Worker (LSW) through the Ohio Board of Social Work MD: Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) through the Maryland Board of Social Work PA: No state licensure required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. Certification in Case Management.

EXPERIENCE

• 1. Two (2) years' social work experience.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. 1. Complete a comprehensive assessment to develop a safe, realistic discharge plan of care appropriate for the patient, in consideration of psychosocial, emotional and financial needs, and in collaboration with the care management team and documents in the electronic medical record.
2. 2. Assess changes in the physician’s plan of care and any impact on the discharge plan.
3. 3. Reviews discharge plan on an ongoing basis and communicates any changes to the appropriate party. Documents the discharge plan in the electronic medical record.
4. 4. Identifies potential problems with post-discharge care and /or initiates early referrals to promote proper utilization of hospital resources and timely transfer to the appropriate level of car.
5. 5. Assists the interdisciplinary team in identifying alternate methods and level of care when patient does not require acute hospitalization and takes appropriate action to minimize financial loss to the hospital and improve the quality of patient care delivery (discuss cases with patients and families, consult with physician).
6. 6. Explore and collaborate with resources within the hospital and community to meet defined patient needs and refers patients and/or families to resources including but not limited to income assistance programs, transportation services, meal assistance, etc.
7. 7. Assess for signs and symptoms of abuse and/or neglect and make referrals to appropriate agencies (Adult Protective Services or Child Protective Services).
8. 8. Assist in identifying a decision maker of medical (Health Care Surrogate) or if there is an existing Medical Power of Attorney designee and presence of a Living Will or other advance directive. Assist patient in completing Living Will, Advance Directive and Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA) forms as requested.
9. 9. Work with hospital legal counsel in pursuing and expediting guardianship, and/or conservatorship actions when necessary.
10. 10. Provides education and guidance to physicians, patient, family and other health care professionals about Medicare, Medicaid and other third party payers coverage issues and regulations.
11. 11. Communicates to case management leadership or designees and/or appropriate physician, medical staff director/peer review regarding deviations from expected norm, quality or appropriateness of care; length of stay issues; risk management issues.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 1. Prolonged periods of standing or sitting.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 1. Flexible hours to include weekends and holidays.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• 1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• 2. Ability to work collaboratively with health care professionals at all levels to achieve established goals and improve quality outcomes.
• 3. Basic computer knowledge and ability to operate standard office software.

Additional Job Description

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day (United States of America) Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States of America (Non-Exempt) Company: JMC Jefferson Medical Center Cost Center: 406 JMC Care Management Address: 300 S Preston St Ranson West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

The West Virginia University Health System is West Virginia’s largest health system and largest private employer, providing care to communities across West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The integrated academic health system includes 25 hospitals and five institutes, with more than 3,500 licensed beds, 4,000 clinicians, 39,000 employees, and $8.5 billion in annual operating revenues. Anchoring the system in Morgantown, West Virginia, are WVU Hospitals, an 880-bed academic medical center, and the 150-bed WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital. Together, the Health System’s hospitals, clinics, and specialty programs provide a comprehensive continuum of care, ranging from community-based primary and specialty services to highly complex, quaternary care and post-acute care.