Medical Social Worker: Clinical Psychology

Albany Medical Health System•Albany, NY

71d•$65,102 - $100,908

About The Position

Create optimal outcomes for the patient and family by managing complex psychosocial and economic co- morbidities. Through advanced practice skills, mobilizes resources to reduce risk, and serves as ambassador between hospital and community.

Requirements

Master's Degree of Social Work degree from an accredited school of Social Work Program - required
1-3 years as graduate student or as a social worker with experience in the field of Clinical Social Work with experience in care transitions. - required
Ability to create collegial and collaborative relationships internally and externally.
Knowledge of accreditation standards, health care regulations, performance improvement and patient safety.
Effective organization, oral and written communication skills, problem solving, program development and computer skills.
Knowledge of health care law and regulations related to acute care and the immediate post-acute continuum
Ability to complete a psychosocial assessment, risk factor analysis, treatment planning, and models of intervention
LMSW - Licensed Medical Social Worker - State Licensure - required

Responsibilities

Works with the Case Manager and the treatment team to develop a safe and timely Discharge Plan A and B that complies with regulations and laws regarding patient and family wishes
Identifies the need for and conducts family meetings that result in comfort, decisions, and other important outcomes
Serves as the lead in obtaining charity and financial resources, legal guardianship, adoptions, psychiatric referrals, and competency determinations.
Leads or co-leads Care Coordination Rounds
Help create function and productivity on the many teams to which the SW belongs, facilitating the resolution of conflict to present a united message to patients and families
Acknowledge issues of diversity and adjust practice accordingly
Works with people and agencies in the community to improve responsiveness, capabilities, alignment, and evaluation of services to patients and families
Collaborate with Risk Management, Patient Relations, Utilization Management, and Quality Management about potential problems and preclude outcomes detrimental to AMC
Base individual practice patterns on a sound knowledge base of social work principles and methodologies, social work policies, and the NASW Code of Ethics
Demonstrate flexibility in providing department coverage as needed, including possible modification of role, responsibilities, and assigned caseload
Completes initial screen of patients and families and a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of patients
Assists patients and families in understanding their illness and treatments options, as well as consequences to various treatments or refusal of treatment
Assists patients and families in communicating with treatment team
Provides crisis intervention
Advocates for patient care and timely discharge plan
Coordinates patient discharge and continuity of care planning
Educates hospital staff on patient psychosocial needs
Educates patients and families on levels of care; acute, sub-acute, community services and resources