Social Worker Casual Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare; Palos Heights (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine in Illinois is seeking a Social Worker II Flex to provide discharge planning and psychosocial interventions for high-risk patients and families with complex needs.

The role requires applying psychosocial expertise, coordinating with care teams, and utilizing community resources to support safe, respectful discharge planning and patient choice. On-call coverage is included, with a focus on compassionate, culturally sensitive care.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work or BS in Social Work with 3 years of medical setting experience.
• Must have knowledge of theory and practices of social work; understanding of community health and welfare.
• Illinois licensure: LSW or LCSW.

Responsibilities

• Provide discharge planning and psychosocial interventions.
• Identify psychosocial and discharge planning needs.
• Educate patients/families about community resources and involve them in the development of the intervention plan.
• Document progress per departmental policies regarding discharge planning and/or psychosocial interventions.
• Collaborate with other disciplines in the discharge planning process to facilitate coordination of services.
• Provide age-appropriate and culturally sensitive patient care.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient/family information as required by laws and policies.
• Participate in department activities and professional development.

Skills

Discharge planning

Psychosocial interventions

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Patient education

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW)

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW)

Illinois Social Work Licensure (LSW/LCSW)

Job description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

See what our staff have to say about working at Northwestern Medicine! It Takes a Team !

Looking for applicants with hospital experience!

The Social Worker II Flex reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Collaborates and participates in the coordination of screening, assessment, and discharge planning activities in high-risk patients and their families with complex psychosocial and economic needs. Utilizes expertise and problem-solving skills to achieve optimal clinical outcomes within effective resources and timeframes. Promotes a seamless and safe discharge throughout the continuum of care.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing discharge planning and psychosocial interventions to patients and their families.
• Identifies patient's psychosocial and discharge planning needs.
• Knowledgeable of community resources that can provide appropriate interventions to meet patient's psychosocial and/or discharge needs.
• Educates patients/families about community resources and involves them in the development of the intervention plan.
• Supports patient choice through education of patient/family about available options/resources and their right to choose their provider.
• Documents on a regular basis per the departmental policies and procedures all progress regarding discharge planning and/or psychosocial interventions which will include, but not be limited to, interactions with patients and family members, available resources and alternative plans.
• Collaborates with other disciplines in the discharge planning process in order to facilitate coordination of services and resources for patients. Regularly communicates all pertinent patient/family information to the patient care team.
• Provides situational counseling in order to enable patients/families to reach decisions concerning placement, end of life care, etc.
• Responsible for providing social work consults to the Primary Care Center and other outpatient areas / facilities. Responsible for providing on-call coverage.
• Utilizes crises intervention skills in assessing patient/family situations.
• Maintains knowledge of current community resources to which outpatients can be referred and has the skills to access those resources.
• Maintains knowledge of state regulations concerning elder abuse/neglect and domestic violence.
• Responsible for providing age appropriate and culturally appropriate patient care.
• Maintains knowledge of the grovTh and development process for infant, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• Provides assessment and treatment in an individualized manner, which is consistent with patient's age and developmental level.
• Has knowledge and understanding of the cultural and religious preferences of various ethnic groups. When interacting with patients/families, is respectful of preferences related to their cultural and religious beliefs.
• Responsible for participating in specific department activities. Responsible for participating in profession activities to enhance social work skills. Responsible for professional conduct.
• At all times respects the privacy and confidentiality of the patient/family as defined by appropriate laws, hospital policies/procedures, professional standards and/or ethics.
• Furthers professional growth by attending inservices and educational programs.
• Maintains Illinois Social Work licensure.
• Completes30 CEU's every two years
• Participates in department performance improvement activities.
• Responsible for attending all annual mandatory educational programs as required by position.
• Regularly attends and participates in department staff meetings.
• A professional and customer friendly approach is demonstrated in all interactions with others.

This position is casual (non-benefited) days. No holidays. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Looking for applicants with hospital experience!

Required

• Masters Degree from an accredited School of Social Work or Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and three years of experience in medical setting preferred and enrolled in MSW program preferred.
• Must have good knowledge of theory and practices of social work. Must demonstrate an understanding of community health, welfare, and social agencies.
• Licensure in Illinois. Licensed Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending on the job family.