Care Coordinator/Social Worker

UnitedHealth Group•Waukesha, WI

2d•$60,200 - $107,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker acts as a liaison and coordinates 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 contribute to illness. The Social Worker advocates for members and connects them and their families with community resources and financial assistance programs to support independence. Working with an interdisciplinary care team, the Social Worker coordinates patient services through the continuum of care using clinical and psychosocial approaches. 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, and coordinates services with healthcare team members and community partners. Core functions include crisis intervention, brief counseling, identifying resource needs, problem-solving, facilitating care team meetings, and promoting patient wellness. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with shifts of 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or 12:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m. The position works onsite at hospital locations in the Waukesha, Wisconsin regional area.

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 effectively read, write, speak, cognitively process, and emotionally support others while performing 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 manage appropriate resource utilization.
Provide skilled interventions for patient and family support, crisis resolution, problem-solving, decision-making, advocacy, and mediation of psychosocial issues and risk factors.
Assess the need for post-hospital services and community resources at discharge.
Develop plans of care and management plans for patients who frequently use 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 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.
Interface with Department Leaders, Risk Management, and patient representatives to identify potential quality assurance or risk issues.
Participate in departmental quality improvement projects.
Initiate paperwork for reports, plans of care, referrals, and community resources.
Coordinate care and discharge plans for all age groups, from the unborn child through geriatric patients.
Comply with applicable regulatory requirements, including CMS and Joint Commission standards.
Respond to community information and referral needs and coordinate services with healthcare team members and community partners.