Medical Social Worker, Social Services

Athol Hospital•Athol, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Heywood Healthcare values its employees and offers competitive wages, great benefits, and generous earned time off. This position is for a Medical Social Worker in Social Services, working 40 hours per week on days. The role involves care transitions and coordination, psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. The salary range is $52,100 - $83,200, with final compensation based on experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. The organization is committed to equitable and transparent compensation practices.

Requirements

Associates Degree required
Minimum one to three years experience in a hospital setting, Skilled Nursing Facility, or community social/health agency.
MA State licensure required LCSW, LSW, or LSWA.
Ability to work independently and with a team
Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
Computer experience for data collection, report writing, and quality monitoring
Ability to work with community agencies to mobilize resources required
Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to change
Demonstrates ability to clearly assess behavioral health needs as well as other psychosocial aspects of patient care including but not limited to the health-related social needs of our patients; good knowledge of assessment, counseling and crisis intervention techniques.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree preferred in SW or related field

Responsibilities

Reports directly to the Manager of Care Transitions and indirectly to the Unit Manager and Practice Leader.
Keeps department leaders informed of issues, trends, and needs.
Demonstrates professionalism and teamwork, collaborating effectively with the unit team.
Covers for co-workers during absences as needed.
Provides service to the community through walk-in and telephone inquiries.
Conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments for patients and families, identifying barriers to care and assessing mental health, coping ability, and support systems.
Completes assessments and documentation clearly, concisely, and within established timeframes, adhering to department policies and state/federal regulations.
Builds rapport and responds to the needs of physicians, healthcare team members, payers, referral sources, and vendors.
Conducts High Risk Screening on all patients on assigned units.
Supports the discharge planning process by ensuring appropriate services and placements within the continuum of care.
Educates patients on their rights, processes, and resources.
Provides short-term counseling to patients and families coping with illness, trauma, grief, or adjustment challenges.
Supports patients dealing with chronic illness, terminal diagnoses, or major life changes.
Provides clear and relevant education regarding the care plan.
Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team for coordinated, patient-centered care.
Responds to psychosocial crises, including domestic violence, abuse or neglect, suicidal ideation, and family conflict.
Advocates for patients’ rights, dignity, and access to appropriate care.
Addresses barriers related to social determinants of health.
Conducts post-discharge follow-up on High Risk patients to reduce re-hospitalization.
Completes discharge planning assessments timely, efficiently, and completely.
Appropriately levels patients for home discharge or transfer to other facilities.
Develops, coordinates, and implements discharge plans with patient/family/caregiver input.
Identifies patient preference and selection choice for HHA/SNF placements.
Notifies providers, establishes anticipated readiness for discharge, and keeps patients/families informed.
Closes cases using appropriate transition of care communication forms.
Assists the Multidisciplinary Team in expediting patient discharge.
Participates in daily discharge planning rounds.
Works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to determine patient needs, including post-acute care, addressing LOS issues, potential needs, resources, and referrals.
Works collaboratively with the RN Care Coordinator to ensure appropriate clinical information for utilization review.
Participates in weekly utilization review meetings.
Initiates discharge planning at the time of admission.
Participates in performance improvement activities and other projects.
Completes statistical records for each closed case, accurately capturing hours, contacts, and services provided.
Maintains timely and thorough documentation to support departmental reporting and data integrity.
Completes case closure notes recording services provided and hours invested.