Care Coordinator/Social Worker

UnitedHealth Group•Waukesha, WI

5h•$29 - $52•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker acts as a liaison and helps coordinate resources for health plan members with multiple co-morbidities and/or psychosocial needs. The role provides counseling and assistance to patients and families facing personal, financial, ethical, and environmental difficulties that may predispose them to illness. The Social Worker advocates for members and families by connecting them with community resources and financial assistance programs to support their independence, and collaborates with an interdisciplinary care team. The Social Worker coordinates patient services through an interdisciplinary process that addresses clinical and psychosocial needs 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; coordinates with the broader health care team and community; and responds to community information and referral needs. Core functions include crisis intervention, brief counseling, understanding mental health diagnoses, identifying resource needs, collaborating with community vendors, facilitating care-team meetings, problem solving, and promoting patient wellness. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with shifts of 8:00 AM–4:30 PM or 12:00 PM–8:30 PM. The position is onsite at hospital locations in the Waukesha, Wisconsin regional area. The hourly pay range is $29–$52, based on full-time employment. A $5,000 sign-on bonus is available to eligible external applicants; current employees of UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare, or related entities are not eligible. Candidates must pass a drug test before beginning employment.

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 or knowledge in healthcare terminology.
Ability to read, write, speak, cognitively process, and emotionally support while performing 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.
Must pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Coordinate patient care processes to achieve quality outcomes and identify and control appropriate resource utilization.
Provide skilled interventions for patient and family support and crisis resolution, problem-solving and decision-making, advocacy related to life-changing events, and mediation of 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, in partnership 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 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.
Interface with department leaders, Risk Management, and patient representatives to identify potential quality assurance or risk issues.
Participate in departmental quality improvement projects.
Initiate necessary paperwork for reports, plans of care, referrals, and community resources.
Coordinate care and discharge plans for all age groups, from unborn children through geriatric patients.
Comply with applicable regulatory requirements, including CMS and Joint Commission standards.
Coordinate resources for members with multiple co-morbidities and/or psychosocial needs, and connect members and families to community resources and financial assistance programs.
Provide direct social work and case management services, including assessment, intervention, support, and referrals, and coordinate services with the health care team and community.