Medical Social Worker

Position Summary:

The Medical Social Worker II (LCSW-C) is responsible to implement the plan of care for specific patients, beginning on admission and following through until discharge. Collaboration with the patient, family, interdisciplinary care team members and external healthcare providers to assure safe, timely and efficient care is required. Initiates the plan of care and monitors its implementation. Functions as a member of the team in coordination of care to patients and serves as a problem solving resource. Position requires innovative skills for continuous improvement in patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Internal communication is required outside of the workgroup to persuade or gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs.
• Identifies the physical, motor, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial characteristics for age group(s) served.
• Demonstrates age appropriate communication skills.
• Demonstrates ability to provide the care needed as described in the job description and the department's scope of service for the patient groups under his/her care.

Age group(s) served will be one or more of the following: Infant (Birth to 12 months), Child (13 months to 12 years), Adolescent (13 years to 17 years), Adult (18 years to 69 years) or Geriatric (70 years and older).

1. Maintains an active presence on all units.
2. Assesses new referrals in a timely fashion per department guidelines.
3. Has a special focus on re-admissions, advanced age, living alone, uninsured, homeless, terminal illness, psychiatric illness, suicidality, suspected abuse/neglect, those expected not to be able to return to their previous living situation, high risk pregnancies, adoption, foster care, guardianship issues, drug/alcohol addiction.
4. Promotes communication and collaboration among health care team members.
5. Coordinates continuity of care planning through family meetings.
6. Identifies and facilitates community resources.
7. Advocates for the patient and family needs in different settings: inpatient, outpatient, home and in the community.
8. Educates/navigates patients as needed on the levels of health care/healthcare team members.
9. Ensures communication and understanding about post-hospital care among patient, family and health care team members.
10. Facilitates APS/CPS/Guardianship/Advance Directives.
11. Facilitates decision making on behalf of patients and families.
12. Employs crisis intervention.
13. Educates hospital staff on patient psychosocial issues.
14. Identifies ethical issues.
15. Obtains authorization and placement for psychiatric patients residing outside of 2W Psych.
16. Conducts all steps in referral, placement and paperwork to Hospice (home and inpatient).
17. Attends Long Stay, Multi-D rounds as appropriate.
18. Participates in departmental meetings and serves on community/hospital workgroups as appropriate.
19. Performs approved liaison, teaching, and outreach activities, and committee assignments which underscore professional practice and enhance the goals/objectives of the Hospital and department.
20. May provide supervision to LMSW social workers/social work

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs duties in a manner that is consistent with the hospital's core values and the language of caring habits.
2. Attends mandatory departmental meetings, hospital in-services, and continuing education programs to keep informed of new developments affecting hospital initiatives and his/her area of expertise.
3. Participates on Continuous Improvement Teams as required. Performs tasks necessary for maintenance and improvement of his/her functional area within the department.
4. Maintains effective, timely lines of communication with his/her supervisor and co-workers.
5. Maintains acceptable attendance and punctuality in order to maximize his/her contribution to the organization in accordance with hospital policy.
6. Acknowledges his/her ultimate responsibility is to directly or indirectly serve the needs of every patient as defined in the HCGH Mission Statement.

CORE VALUES:

1. Excellence & Discovery - Be the best.

Commit to exceptional quality and service. Create an outstanding customer experience. Listen carefully, check for understanding and clarify. Maintain a high level of knowledge related to areas of expertise. Inspire others to maintain a customer, patient and family centered environment (clean, quiet and clutter-free). Anticipate and exceed customer/patient needs. Explain actions, why action is being taken, what they can expect, and how long it will take. Find a way to say "yes."

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's Degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or an equivalent organization approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
• Licensure as an LCSW-C is preferred,
• LMSW may be considered along with appropriate work history.