Clinical Social Worker - Care Management

PeaceHealth • Bellingham, WA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

PeaceHealth is hiring a Clinical Social Worker for a full-time, 0.80 FTE evening position. The role coordinates the development and implementation of patient care and treatment plans based on clinical assessment of psychiatric, chemical dependency, and psychosocial needs related to medical and behavioral care. The Clinical Social Worker provides risk assessment, case management, disposition and discharge planning, and coordination of services to promote continuity of care.

The position completes intake documentation, conducts ongoing assessments, develops treatment plans with the multidisciplinary team, manages complex cases, monitors patient needs and progress, and maintains documentation throughout hospitalization. It provides brief therapeutic interventions to patients and families, participates in community staffings, and develops aftercare plans in coordination with physicians and the treatment team. The Clinical Social Worker also screens patients for care management, develops and monitors comprehensive discharge plans with patients and families, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team on special planning, interventions, teaching, and follow-up.

Additional duties include ensuring privacy and confidentiality compliance; communicating with legal entities; contributing to department quality improvement; maintaining knowledge of community resources and culturally responsive communication; responding to community requests; and accessing pharmaceutical and community resources for psychiatric medications. The role provides training and supervision to graduate social work students and clinical supervision toward licensure for CSWAs, while maintaining licensure and complying with Clinical Board requirements.

For the Whatcom Emergency Department, the role provides crisis intervention using a strength-based, solution-focused approach; evaluates chemical dependency and psychiatric care needs using Interqual and ASAM criteria; works with Crisis Response Services and community agencies; serves as a liaison across service areas; and recognizes and diffuses violent behavior.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited graduate school of social work.
• Two years of clinical experience with the designated population.
• Current qualifying Washington credential: LICSW, SWAL, SWAICL, or SWAAL.
• Familiarity with medical terminology and conditions as they affect discharge needs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to document in an electronic record.
• Maintain current licensure through continuing education and comply with Clinical Board ethics, rules, and regulations.

Nice To Haves

• Hospital, emergency room, chemical dependency, or community agency experience.
• Knowledge of community resources and Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance requirements as they relate to continuing care.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate development and implementation of patient care and treatment plans based on diagnosis and clinical assessment.
• Complete intake documentation and provide ongoing patient assessment.
• Develop treatment plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Manage complex cases, monitor patient needs and progress, maintain documentation throughout hospitalization, and develop aftercare plans.
• Provide disposition and discharge planning, risk assessment, case management, and coordination of services.
• Provide brief therapeutic interventions to patients and families and participate in community staffings in coordination with physicians and the treatment team.
• Screen and identify patients needing care management based on high-risk criteria.
• Assess, develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive discharge plans with the interdisciplinary team, patient, and family.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to identify needs requiring special planning, intervention, teaching, or follow-up.
• Ensure compliance with privacy and confidentiality laws and interface with legal entities regarding treatment needs.
• Assist with monitoring and evaluating services for the department quality improvement plan.
• Maintain current knowledge of community resources and issues related to culture, ethnicity, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, and religion, and use appropriate communication skills.
• Provide information, education, and direction in response to community requests.
• Access pharmaceutical and community resources to help patients obtain needed psychiatric medications.
• Provide instruction, training, and supervision for graduate-level social work students and clinical supervision toward licensure for CSWAs.
• Maintain current licensure through continuing education and uphold Clinical Board ethics, rules, and regulations.
• Diagnose, assess, and address mental health and chemical dependency conditions, and assess risk of suicidality, homicidality, and grave disability.
• In the Whatcom Emergency Department, provide crisis intervention; evaluate psychiatric and chemical dependency needs using Interqual and ASAM criteria; coordinate with community agencies; serve as a liaison across service areas; and recognize and diffuse violent behavior.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer base and matching contributions.
• Paid time off.
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance, with additional buy-up coverage options.
• Tuition and continuing education reimbursement.
• Wellness benefits.
• Expanded employee assistance program and mental health program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level