Medical Social Worker - Full Time - Bronson Pediatric Gastroenterology Specialists - Kalamazoo

Bronson Healthcare•Kalamazoo, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Hospital Medical Social Worker: Responsible for the delivery of social work services to all medical areas of the hospital to a variety of patient populations. Provides direct intervention with patients and families in such areas as mental health, suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, child/adult abuse/neglect, death/grief, crisis intervention, advocacy, and substance abuse. In conjunction with assessment provides intervention for families and patients for discharge planning, etc. Educates and counsels patients/families on available community resources and facilities. Collaborates with other members of the patient care team including external agencies to assess each situation to determine the best course of action. Coordinates and manages systems and activities toward the end that referred patients are discharged in a timely manner to psychiatric facilities, substance abuse treatment, etc. Employees providing direct patient care must demonstrate competencies specific to the population served. Practice Medical Social Worker: Responsible for the delivery of care management and behavioral health social work services in the ambulatory medical practice setting to a variety of patients including pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Coordinates care to ensure patient/family access to an array of community services. Administers behavioral health screenings and conducts and arranges for more detailed assessments when indicated. Delivers brief interventions to support necessary lifestyle and behavioral changes. Responds to crisis situations in the ambulatory setting. Identifies high-risk psychosocial needs of patients/families. Collaborates with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team to ensure understanding of the impact the disease or illness has on the patient's mental and emotional health. Offers a range of brief, focused prevention, treatment and recovery services for patients with mild to moderate risk factors. Works effectively as part of the interdisciplinary health care teams. Provides culturally competent clinical services which are relevant to patients/families. Emphasis of duties may vary depending upon the area of assignment.

Requirements

Hospital Medical Social Worker: Master’s Degree in Social Work and Licensed Master’s Social Work (LMSW) or Limited License Master’s Social Work (LLMSW) in good standing OR Master’s Degree in Psychology or Counseling Psychology and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Limited License Professional Counselor (LLPC) or License Psychologist (LP) or Limited License Psychologist (LLP)will be considered will be considered.
Fully licensed within two years of hire including state required supervision hours and licensing exam, required.
1-2 years professional level of work experience in healthcare or mental health, preferred.
Current driver's license in the state of Michigan and proof of insurance required for BAH.
Ability to move about the hospital to meet with patients and/or families in the patient care units
Basic Word Processing Skills
Demonstrates excellent human relation skills including verbal and written communication, problem solving, advocacy, assertiveness and empathy skills
Has a customer service orientation
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, as a demonstration of the function of effective process and relationships with the patient and members of the interdisciplinary team
Demonstrates effective interviewing, problem-solving and critical thinking in providing services to patients
Regularly utilizes effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills as needed.
Work which produces high levels of mental/visual fatigue, e.g., interactive and repetitive or small detailed work requiring alertness and concentration for sustained periods of time, the operation of and full attention to a personal computer or CRT between 40 and 70 percent of the time.
Involves regularly lifting of bulky or moderately heavy weights (i.e., up to 50 pounds), and occasionally assisting with heavier tasks or expending the equivalent effort in pushing, pulling, or otherwise handling material, equipment, and other objects.
Practice Medical Social Worker: Masters of Social Work degree with one-year recent medical or mental health experience.
Limited License Social Work may be considered with the following requirements: minimum one-year medical or mental health experience.
Required to be fully licensed within two years of hire including state required supervision hours and licensing exam.
Masters Degree Limited License Professional Counselor (LLPC) or Masters Degree Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Required.
Work which produces high levels of mental/visual fatigue, e.g., interactive and repetitive or small detailed work requiring alertness and concentration for sustained periods of time, the operation of and full attention to a personal computer or CRT between 40 and 70 percent of the time.
Involves regularly lifting of bulky or moderately heavy weights (i.e., up to 50 pounds), and occasionally assisting with heavier tasks or expending the equivalent effort in pushing, pulling, or otherwise handling material, equipment, and other objects.
Regularly communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, as a demonstration of the function of effective process and relationships with the patient/family and members of the interdisciplinary team.
Communicates with internal customers such as, physicians, multi-disciplinary team, finance, and management.
Demonstrates effective interviewing, problem-solving and critical thinking in providing services to patients.
Communicates effectively with external customers such as patients, third party payers, community agencies on a daily basis and often simultaneously.
Regularly utilizes effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills as needed.

Responsibilities

Assesses the nature of the crisis and the immediate social/emotional needs and strengths of the patient and family in order to provide appropriate intervention.
Performs appropriate screenings based on patient population and need.
Identifies problems surrounding the crisis situation and may act as patient advocate to ameliorate such problems.
Collaborates with other members of the patient care team to understand each situation from different perspectives and recommends or provides immediate treatment and solution focused interventions.
Works effectively as part of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, collaborating and communicating regularly with the team and other members on cases and as issues arise.
Identifies the need for, develops plan of care and makes referrals to community agencies and other healthcare specialist and plans to ensure the appropriate follow-up treatment and support is available and provided for after leaving the department.
Thoroughly documents each case and enters appropriate information into the patient’s medical record.
Participates in the development of departmental policies, procedures and protocols.
Identifies and provides for learning needs of patients, families, and healthcare co-workers.
Assumes responsibility for professional development.
Develops and supports a positive work climate and the overall team effort of the department.
Mentors and supervises students.
Performs other duties as assigned.