Social Worker-MSW

Eisenhower Health; Center (AL); On-site; USD 77,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Eisenhower Health is seeking a Social Worker for discharge planning and psychosocial support across a broad patient population. The role requires the MSW and clinical collaboration with the Care Coordinator and interdisciplinary team to ensure safe transitions and appropriate post-acute resources.

The chosen candidate will assess patient needs, provide counseling, coordinate services, and document plans in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• MSW required.
• Healthcare social work experience preferred.
• Experience across pediatric through geriatric populations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform psychosocial assessments and discharge planning in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Coordinate discharge planning and post-discharge services to meet patient needs.
• Provide crisis intervention and supportive counseling to patients and families.
• Document accordingly and communicate plans to Care Coordinator and team.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community resources for post-acute care; ensure timely referrals.
• Advise on patient rights, preferences and advance directives.
• Promote continuous process improvement and compliance with regulations.

Skills

Crisis management

Care planning

Initiative & judgment

Communication across cultures

Care coordination

Team collaboration

Critical thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Problem solving

Self-starter

Psychosocial assessment

Written & verbal communication

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Job description

Default Work Shift: Day (United States of America)

Hours: 40

Salary range: $37.19 - $56.49

Schedule: Full Time

Shift Hours: 10 Hour employee

Department: Case Management Social Services

Job Objective

Coordinates the complex discharge planning needs of patients and their families, as well as to provide supportive counseling, psychosocial assessment and interventions for patients with complex psychiatric, social, medical and financial needs.

Job Description

Education: Required: Master of Social Work (MSW)

Licensure/Certification: N/A

Experience: Preferred: Social work experience in healthcare setting

Reports To: Manager or Director

Supervises: N/A

Ages of Patients: Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric

Blood Borne Pathogens: Minimal/ No Potential

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities

• Ability to deal concretely and psychologically with a variety of crises
• Ability to establish and carry out complex plans of care for key diagnoses
• Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative, judgment and discretion
• Ability to listen, interact and communicate with a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic classes
• Ability to organize efforts around helping clients have a positive experience
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Critical thinking skills
• Knowledge of regulations, standards and legislation (local, state and federal) related to the continuum of care and patient transition
• Problem solving skills to identify issues and formulate effective solutions
• Self-starter; driven to take action without needing prompting
• Well-developed psychosocial assessment and intervention skills
• Written and verbal communication skills

Essential Responsibilities

• 1. Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies, and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations.
• 2. Completes psychosocial assessment of patients according to professional standards; documents using facts only without attitude, judgment or opinions; includes all telephone calls made with person’s name and phone number.
• 3. Conducts a discharge planning needs assessment and develops a discharge plan in conjunction with the Care Coordinator and the interdisciplinary team to meet desired goals for the next step in the continuum.
• 4. Communicates to patient/family, Care Coordinator and interdisciplinary team members the discharge options and plans for complex patients; communicates to patients their choices regarding discharge plans, and respects these choices as defined by federal, state and regulatory requirements.
• 5. Updates the Care Coordinator and team as to the status of the discharge plans; re-evaluates and revises the discharge plan as additional information is acquired and keeps patient/family and team informed to changes in the plan.
• 6. Works with Care Coordinator to obtain insurance approval for post acute services; maintains current knowledge and awareness of payer/reimbursement practices.
• 7. Coordinates the actual discharge plan, including transportation.
• 8. Coordinates utilization of patient and community resources to facilitate achievement of safe and effective discharge plan and accomplishment of goals.
• 9. Finalizes all discharge planning arrangements within 24 hours of discharge.
• 10. Ensures that any information that would be helpful, as appropriate, to facilitate continuity of care post-discharge, is communicated to post acute provider via discharge paperwork or via phone as per departmental documentation guidelines.
• 11. Follows up on discharge planning issues identified by nursing staff during off hours.
• 12. Develops strong relationships with community health resources to ensure appropriate patient access after discharge; completes timely referrals to post discharge providers, ensuring efficient patient flow and adherence to federal and regulatory requirements.
• 13. Screens patients, upon referral or according to high risk criteria for psychosocial needs; conducts psychosocial assessment when indicated to identify emotional, social and environmental issues impacting quality outcomes and efficient patient throughput.
• 14. Provides crises intervention, supportive counseling and advocacy to assist patients and/or family with adjustment associated with illness, hospitalization and/or alternative care placement; facilitates the decision making process in complex cases.
• 15. Communicates findings to Care Coordinator and other members of the interdisciplinary team and intervenes as appropriate in order to ensure a proactive approach to crisis intervention and efficient patient throughput.
• 16. Helps patients understand their rights in regards to patient choice, medical treatment, advanced directives and other related issues.
• 17. Helps patient/family understand, accept and follow medical recommendations within the context of self-determination.
• 18. Initiates appropriate referrals to the Ethics Committee, Physician Advisor, Risk Management or Legal Services, as appropriate.
• 19. Facilitates resolution of issues surrounding patient care in a compassionate manner, functioning as a patient advocate.
• 20. Serves as a resource to hospital staff and physicians concerning social issues (i.e., APS, CPS, Domestic Violence, the 5150 process, DPOA, mental health).
• 21. Ensures advance directives are in place and honored according to patient wishes.
• 22. Facilitates resource acquisition for the unfunded patient, as available.
• 23. Provides education to patient and families around issues related to adaptation to the patient’s diagnosis, illness, treatment, discharge plan and/or life situation.
• 24. Serves as a resource to members of the interdisciplinary team and patient/family regarding coverage issues, discharge options and community resources; participates in team meetings.
• 25. Documents according to hospital policy.
• 26. Collaborates with Care Coordinator, physicians, nursing and other healthcare disciplines to promote continuous process improvement, which results in efficiency, cost effectiveness, and the highest level of clinical excellence.
• 27. Calls in and writes APS and CPS reports when warranted, copies filed.
• 28. Performs 5150 assessments, locates facility and facilitates placement of 5150 patients.
• 29. Performs other duties as assigned.