Medical Social Worker (Per Diem)

EvergreenHealth•Kirkland, WA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Working under department management, this role partners with the RN Case Manager and other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity and coordination of care for patients and families. The Medical Social Worker provides consultation to patients/families regarding social, environmental, psychological, financial, and cultural factors related to illness and hospitalization, supports continuity in care management, and organizes all aspects of discharge planning.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work
One of the following credentials is required: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW), or Social Worker Associate (must obtain full licensure in one of the above two categories within 4 years of hire).
If hired prior to January 2012, may be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).
2 – 3 years of social work experience in a hospital setting preferred or community setting
Age-specific or behavior-specific knowledge and experience in working with specific patient populations (i.e., children, elderly, those with emotional / behavioral dysfunction) relevant to area of assignment.
Oral and written language skills, visual and aural skills in order to effectively communicate, ensure, and provide for patient needs, and to provide a legal record of this care.
Accountability for professional practice, commitment to patient care, and commitment to uphold the Patient Bill of Rights.
Current Healthcare Provider BLS – American Heart Association by start date.

Nice To Haves

2 years of experience working in a hospital setting
Case Management or other Certification

Responsibilities

Assumes daily caseload of select population to provide clinical social work services to patients and families.
Demonstrates working knowledge of common diagnoses related to select population.
Incorporates psychosocial needs of the patient within the framework of developmental stage, age, functional abilities, cultural context, and support system.
Assessment, intervention, care-planning, and evaluation include identification of support system and resources, barriers to care/care progression, discharge coordination, referral and resources, and psychosocial services.
Provides psychosocial and behavioral health support for complex patient and family needs: acute crisis intervention, drug and alcohol screens, grief and bereavement services, domestic violence, abuse/neglect, and support to individuals or groups as referred or identified.
Proactively manages care progression of patients to the appropriate level of care, recommends changes in plan as needed to promote enhanced outcomes.
Acts as patient advocate by empowering patient and family to participate in their care as appropriate.
Functions as a liaison of communication and collaboration for the entire healthcare team, including patient and family.
In collaboration with RN case manager, provides interventions to support clinical satisfaction, financial, and compliance-related outcomes.
Assists patients and families to adjust and cope with changes related to illness and/or disability or functional decline.
Exercises fiscal stewardship and acts as a role model for efficient and appropriate utilization of resources.
Serves as a lead for legal, guardianship, decision-making, and self-determination issues.
Functions as a leader in the interdisciplinary team in determining goals of care and discharge, as well as identifying and addressing barriers to care progression.
Demonstrates ability to engage in complex clinical decision-making and multi-tasking.
Completes and disseminates necessary legal and clinical documentation.
Participates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and ongoing revision of quality, safety, and fiscal initiatives to improve outcomes.
Responds to emergent patient crisis situations, collaborates with lead, and escalates appropriately to Manager/Director.
Performs other duties as assigned.