Family and Communication Services Specialist Alzheimers Institute

Banner Health • Tucson, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Banner Alzheimer’s Institute is committed to ending Alzheimer’s before we lose another generation. At this center, people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias and their families access a new standard of care that brings together innovative therapies, advanced treatments and valuable resources. As a Family & Communication Services Specialist you will be responsible for providing vital social work support to patients and their families to help manage the complex, day-to-day challenges of Alzheimer's and related memory disorders. This role requires an MSW + 5 years of experience, as this role focuses on day-to-day patient counseling, resource allocation, and serving as a key liaison to the clinical team.

This position provides comprehensive care coordination for patients and families, supporting a holistic and coordinated approach across the continuum of care. This position assesses psychosocial aspects of care adding to the treatment plan, providing individual and group psychotherapy, assists with disease management and education to enhance informed decision-making; collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to allow for timely treatment and increased supportive care throughout the patient/family experience. This position provides individual assistance to patients, families and caregivers to help identify and overcome barriers which may hinder quality medical and psychosocial patient care.

Requirements

• Must possess knowledge as normally obtained through the completion of a Master’s Degree in Social Work with additional licensure in Arizona as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker required.
• Requires a proficiency level typically achieved with 5 years clinical experience.
• Requires excellent organizational skills and clinical knowledge regarding specialty care services, as well as care coordination of services, legal and financial aspects of diagnostic services and health services in specialty area.
• Requires effective communication and writing skills, good time management skills and knowledge of word processing and database software applications.
• Requires the ability to teach both clinical and non-clinical personnel regarding care and diagnostics services.
• Also requires a good understanding of process improvement.
• Must having a working knowledge of dementia care precepts.
• Has created individual and group treatment plans conducting both individual, family and group psychotherapy.

Nice To Haves

• Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assesses and manages the patient/family plan of care for the identification and facilitation of resources required during the progression of the chronic condition in order to achieve the optimal clinical, financial, operational, and satisfaction outcomes.
• Acts in a leadership function with process improvement activities to develop and execute uniquely designed programs for dementia patients and families in order to achieve the optimal clinical, financial, operational, and satisfaction outcomes.
• Assists the patient/family through the course of dementia using disease management precepts to provide ongoing education, psychosocial support and counseling to assist with adjustment for the patient and family.
• Coordinates the plan of care using an interdisciplinary holistic approach, making appropriate medical, legal, social and financial referrals and consultations in coordination with physicians and other team members.
• Ensures that the patient and family understand the dementia diagnosis, disease progression and behavioral strategies and recommended actions, and are provided with appropriate information in coordination with physician and health care providers. Responds to patient/family requests for ongoing information and education regarding the disease process, legal, financial and community resources including respite and residential care options to optimize outcomes. Supports the patient and family during difficult decision-making periods. Assists/facilitates the completion of patient health care directives providing education and emotional support to families.
• Evaluates patient’s functional, cognitive and emotional abilities and limitations. Determines when intervention is needed. Establishes treatment goals that are measurable reflecting patient/family key limiting factors. Establishes and implements a plan of care to achieve treatment goals. Collaborates with patient and family when setting goal.
• Educates internal members of the health care team on care coordination of dementia patients/families in the community. Participates in staff development to maintain current standards of practice and ensure the highest quality of care.
• Establishes and promotes a collaborative relationship with physicians, payers, and other members of the health care team. Collects and communicates pertinent, timely information to payers and others to fulfill utilization and regulatory requirements.

What This Job Offers

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