Medical Social Worker

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

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.