Medical Social Worker

Description:

The Social Worker is responsible for providing for Social Services activities of the hospital. The social worker demonstrates competence in providing services to the following populations: geriatric, adult, adolescent, pediatrics, mother and infant/newborn. The social worker coordinates discharge planning with the assistance of Director of Case Management when necessary.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Consults with physicians, nurses, and ancillary staff concerning patient discharge needs, prognosis, and services required to ensure continuity of care.
• Interviews patients/families to provide a comprehensive psychosocial assessment to patients with complex psychosocial problems.
• Implements and coordinates the discharge plan, as consulted, to allow for a smooth transition from the Hospital so there is little interruption of continued health care services.
• Assists patients and families in arranging for home care services, including visiting nurses, home care, homemaker, and medical needs as appropriate.
• Arranges transportation as indicated to facilitate patient transfer.
• Makes referrals as appropriate to Adult or Child Protective Service for suspected abuse or neglect, to ensure that the safety and needs of the patient are being met.
• Assists the patient/family in obtaining additional medical coverage as appropriate for patient’s needs.
• Prepares for and participates in regular discharge planning conferences on assigned nursing units for the purpose of updating discharge needs and establishing referrals. Identifies barriers affecting a safe and timely plan.
• Documents each Social Service intervention in the patient’s electronic medical record in a timely manner.
• In the absence of the case manager, will perform duties and responsibilities of Director, Case Management.
• Ability to assess the appropriateness of the patient, physician, and staff requests for service and responds courteously and professionally.
• Demonstrates the ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of patient needs appropriately for the age of the patients served.
• Demonstrates appropriate knowledge of growth and development characteristics for the age of the patient served.
• Keeps abreast of current federal and state regulations specific to Social Services. Is familiar with JCAHO Standards applicable to areas of responsibility.
• Ability to function autonomously and able to handle constant change.
• Ability to problem solve, is innovative, and think “big picture.”
• Ability to educate various healthcare professionals and customers
• Assists with MaineCare applications as appropriate.
• Assists with financial applications when appropriate.
• Serves as an advocate for patients and families.
• Acts as a liaison to post-hospital providers.
• Acts as a liaison with community resources and families.
• Ability to educate various healthcare professionals and customers.
• Confers with case manager/chief nursing officer for direction when needed.
• Complies with CEU requirements to maintain license.
• Rotating call for after hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Seeks out needed information by staying informed and involved by attending meetings, reading memos, policies, meeting minutes, newsletters, email and other appropriate information in a timely manner.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality, including observing appropriate break times and extending a scheduled shift when necessary to meet patient demands
• Performs duties in a safe manner, in compliance with all safety policies and procedures
• Complies with the Code of Conduct and all appropriate policies and procedures
• Other duties, as assigned, that are relevant to the position and department

Requirements:

Minimum Education

• Holds a current license in Social Work in the State of Maine
• High School Diploma

Minimum Work Experience

• Preferred three years of experience in hospital social work

Required Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, excellent psychosocial assessment skills with the ability to interpret key information, basic computer skills to include Micrsoft Work and Microsoft Excel.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology, knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid rules and regulations, knowledge of community resources and availability to patients/families and eligibility guidelines.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manager time effectively due to involvement with multiple patients/families, projects, and outside agencies. Ability to work independently, interfacing with other department and outside agencies.
• Ability to function autonomously and able to handle constant change.
• Ability to problem solve, is innovative, and thinks "big picture."
• Ability to educate various healthcare professionals and customers.