Medical Social Worker

SUMMARY
Facilitates patient centered communication within and between different departments. Assesses and evaluates psychosocial components of care for patients in Acute Care, Emergency Room, Home Health and Hospice, and Long-Term Care and clinics. Develops plans and make referrals to ensure patient’s psychosocial needs are being met. Provides counseling to hospice patients and their families.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Acts as a patient advocate in all patient care settings and assesses and evaluates psychosocial components of care for patients in Acute Care, Emergency Room, Home Health and Hospice, and Long-Term Care and clinics.
• Participates and collaborates with providers and other health care personnel in patient evaluation and treatment as an Interdisciplinary Team member in Acute Care, Home Health and Hospice, and Long Term Care and consults with Family Medicine Network and Respiratory Therapy as needed. 
• Facilitates individual and group meetings to assist patients and families inunderstanding, accepting, and following medical recommendations.
• Identifes patients’ motivations and preferences for care and link patient to appropriate resources.
• Establishes and coordinates discharge plans for all Acute Care patients.
• Documents care completely, accurately and timely in the appropriate health record.
• Facilitates bereavement support services Participates in community outreach.  
• Follows all standards that are applicable to their specialty or area of work.
• Adheres to recognized infection control standards.
• Professionally conveys clinical information to other team members.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work required; Master’s Degree or equivalent; or four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience; preferred. Current Montana license for social work preferred.