Social Worker/Discharge Planner

Position Title: Medical Social Worker/ Discharge Planner

Department: Case Management

Reports To: Director of Case Management

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Summary:

The Social Worker is responsible for identifying patient and family psychosocial, emotional and cultural needs and priorities for care through assessment, care planning, clinical interventions, education and evaluation of outcomes, adjustment to illness (acute or chronic) and discharge needs. The position will collaborate with Nursing unit, Physician, NP, Pharmacy and other care providers to address the indigent requirements, needs for medications, other resources, and referral processes for entitlements. Through documentation and oral communication, essential information is shared with the health care team members. Works in coordination with LCSW with regard to social services needs of our patient population. 

Duties and Responsibilities (includes, but is not limited to the following):

• Collects key psychosocial, emotional and cultural information from patients, families, community agencies and other professional disciplines as part of social work assessment.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age-appropriate interventions to the patient.
• Develops a psychosocial and discharge plan, mindful of long-term needs, support system, environment, and financial resources.
• Manages and oversees a set case load of patients from the moment of admission through their hospital stay, and discharge.  
• Provides community resource information and referrals for patients and families, including those requiring assistance in meeting health care services/programs/entitlements.
• Provides appropriate counseling and support of patients and family in the acceptance of medical condition, treatment, prognosis and needs after discharge.
• Facilitate family conferences and/or mediation related to patient care needs, medical condition or treatment. Includes health care and others as determined.
• Assists physician and other health care professionals in understanding significant social, emotional, and cultural factors related to patient illness or disease process.
• Assures that social service/discharge planning activities are integrated and coordinated within the hospital system by effective communication at all levels.
• Develops, implements, and maintains policies and procedures and forms related to Social Services, Discharge Planning.
• Coordinates policies and procedures, staff education and performance improvement. Maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in QPI activities.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to Nurse Manager, co-workers, and physicians.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function in stressful situations.

Supervisory

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Experience and Qualifications

• Five years of active social work services preferred.
• Two years of experience as a Medical Social Worker in an acute hospital or LTACH preferred.
• Clinical experience with geriatric, or terminally ill populations desirable
• Organization and coordination of resources.

Education, Licensure and/or Certifications

• Master’s Degree in Psychology or Social Work.
• Current BLS certification preferred. 

Other Skills and Abilities

• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times
• Sensitivity to and willingness to interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects, work relatively independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively as well as possessing the skills to lead, influence, and motivate others. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, expanding organization. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Movement within hospital complex environment
• Ability to write by hand, use keyboard and mouse extensively to perform general office functions
• Ability to communicate by speech and hearing continuously 
• Must have visual acuity near and far (20 inches to 20 feet), depth perception, field of vision, ability to focus on an object, ability to identify and distinguish colors
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and walk
• Ability to grasp, hold and pick up and reach with hands and arms
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds (periodic lifting of supplies or equipment)

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to hospital areas and general office environment. The work environment is a clean, well-lit, well-ventilated, and temperature controlled environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The hours of duty are lengthy and irregular.