Medical Social Worker, Social Services

Athol Hospital•Athol, MA

1d•$52,100 - $83,200•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 during the day, with no holidays required. The role involves providing comprehensive psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, and support to patients and families facing various health and life challenges. The Medical Social Worker will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, communicate with external stakeholders, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Requirements

Associates Degree required, Bachelor's Degree preferred in SW or related field
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

Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments for patients and families, identifying social, emotional, financial, and environmental barriers to care, and assessing mental health concerns, coping ability, and support systems.
Complete assessments fully, clearly, concisely, and within 24-48 working hours of case assignment.
Complete documentation using department policies, procedures, and state/federal regulations, noting patient/family participation and multidisciplinary involvement.
Build rapport and respond to the needs of physicians, healthcare team members, 3rd party payers, referral sources, and vendors to enhance customer satisfaction.
Conduct High Risk Screening on all patients on assigned units for potential needs as per policy, completing the HRSN Screen within 24 working hours of case assignment.
Effectively support the discharge planning process by ensuring services and placements are appropriate within the continuum of care, completing required documentation accurately and timely.
Educate patients on their rights, providing accurate, timely, and comprehensive information, ensuring patients understand applicable processes and resources.
Provide short-term counseling to patients and families coping with illness, trauma, grief, or adjustment challenges, supporting patients dealing with chronic illness, terminal diagnoses, or major life changes.
Respond to psychosocial crises, including domestic violence, abuse or neglect concerns, suicidal ideation, and family conflict.
Advocate for patients’ rights, dignity, and access to appropriate care, addressing barriers related to social determinants of health.
Conduct post-discharge follow-up on High Risk patients to reduce re-hospitalization.
Complete discharge planning assessments timely, efficiently, and completely following regulatory standards and departmental policies.
Appropriately level patients for home discharge with or without services or to another type of facility, developing, coordinating, and implementing discharge plans with patient/family/caregiver preference.
Collaborate with the team to assist the Multidisciplinary Team in providing discharge planning activities to expedite patient discharge.
Complete case closure using appropriate transitions-of-care communication forms in a timely and efficient manner.
Maintain current knowledge and proficiency in discharge planning processes and best practices.
Participate in discharge planning rounds daily, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to determine patient needs, address LOS issues, potential needs, resources, and referrals.
Work collaboratively with the assigned RN Care Coordinator to ensure appropriate and timely clinical information is available for utilization review with insurance payers.
Participate in weekly utilization review meetings to address extended lengths of stay, identify additional information needed for concurrent reviews, and discuss discharge planning status.
Initiate discharge planning at the time of admission to help ensure appropriate services and supports are arranged.
Participate in performance improvement activities and other projects as assigned by leadership.
Consistently complete statistical records for each closed case, accurately capturing hours, contacts, and services provided.
Complete cases with a closing note using the CM/SW Discharge/Closing note recording services provided, hours invested on disposition day of discharge or next working day.