Care Coordinator/Social Worker

UnitedHealth Group•Waukesha, WI

8h•$60,200 - $107,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker acts as a liaison and coordinates resources for health plan members with multiple comorbidities or psychosocial needs. The role provides counseling and assistance to patients and families facing personal, financial, ethical, or environmental difficulties, advocates for members, and connects them with community resources and financial assistance programs to support independence. The Social Worker collaborates with an interdisciplinary care team that may include physicians, nurses, case managers, pharmacists, laboratory technologists, other social workers, dietitians, and educators. The Social Worker coordinates patient services through an interdisciplinary clinical and psychosocial approach across the continuum of care. Discharge planning begins at or before admission and is reassessed throughout hospitalization. The role provides direct social work and case management services to patients, families, and hospital staff, including assessment, intervention, support, and referrals, and coordinates with community health care partners. Core functions include crisis intervention, understanding mental health diagnoses, brief counseling, collaboration with community vendors, identifying resource needs, arranging care-team meetings, problem-solving, and promoting patient wellness. The position is onsite at hospital locations in the Waukesha, Wisconsin regional area. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with shifts of either 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or 12:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW).
Social Work Certification.
At least 2 years of experience working in a healthcare setting.
At least 2 years of experience with or knowledge of healthcare terminology.
Ability to effectively read, write, and speak; cognitively process; provide emotional support; and perform other assigned duties.
Ability to work onsite at hospital locations in the Waukesha, Wisconsin regional area.
Critical-thinking skills.
Excellent written and oral skills.
Oral and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in social work.
Clinical social work experience.
Hospital discharge-planning experience.

Responsibilities

Coordinate patient care processes to achieve desired quality outcomes and identify and control appropriate resource utilization.
Provide skilled interventions for patient and family support and crisis resolution; facilitate problem-solving and decision-making; advocate and facilitate support for life-changing events; and mediate risk factors and psychosocial issues.
Assess the need for post-hospital services and community resources at discharge.
Develop care and management plans for patients who frequently visit the Emergency Department, partnering with the patient’s physician, ED provider, and community resources.
Support patients, caregivers, and families with psychosocial or behavioral needs.
Educate patients and families about options and choices available within the appropriate level of care.
Report child and adult abuse and neglect to community agencies as required by law.
Assess patients who may have experienced violence and make appropriate reports and referrals.
Educate and collaborate with the care team on care planning and discharge resources.
Involve staff at the next level of care when appropriate to promote continuity of care.
Work with department leaders, Risk Management, and patient representatives to identify potential quality-assurance or risk issues.
Participate in departmental quality-improvement projects.
Initiate required paperwork for reports, plans of care, referrals, and community resources.
Functionally coordinate and plan discharges for all age groups, from unborn children through geriatric patients.
Comply with applicable regulatory requirements, including CMS and Joint Commission standards.
Respond to information and referral needs of the community.