Oncology Social Worker- JNE

Thomas Jefferson University•Northeast Philadelphia, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides social work services to patients and families, assessing and enhancing their ability to cope with physical, emotional, cognitive, and environmental problems related to illness, convalescence, and discharge planning. Works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary healthcare team and case managers to develop and coordinate safe discharge plans and continuity of care. Provides psychosocial counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, resource referrals, and support with treatment decisions and end-of-life care. The role includes documenting assessments and interventions in the electronic medical record, assisting with insurance and placement processes, coordinating post-acute care, and supporting patients and families throughout hospitalization and discharge.

Requirements

Master of Social Work degree from an accredited MSW program.
Two years of hospital-based social work experience.
Knowledge of medical terminology and disease processes.
Knowledge of community resources.
Knowledge of insurance regulations and requirements.
Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams, outside resources, patients, families, and significant others.
Ability to establish an appropriate plan to safely discharge patients to the next level of care.

Responsibilities

Conduct psychosocial assessments of patients and significant others in relation to social, emotional, and cognitive capabilities, illness, and health-maintenance needs.
Develop and implement interventions addressing needs and problems identified during assessments.
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team and case managers to plan and coordinate patient discharge and progression of care.
Counsel patients, families, and significant others regarding new diagnoses, chronic illness, palliative care, terminal care, treatment decisions, and end-of-life issues.
Advocate for patients and families to obtain necessary services and refer them to community resources to meet ongoing care needs.
Coordinate team and family conferences when needed to facilitate patient care progression.
Provide psychosocial counseling and crisis intervention, including interventions related to child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, elder abuse, institutional abuse, guardianship, foster care, adoption, psychiatric assessment and placement, advance directives, trauma, and substance abuse.
Facilitate nursing home placement documentation, grant applications, and referrals to options programs, and obtain post-acute authorizations.
Document assessments, interventions, and updates in accordance with hospital and departmental requirements, including throughout hospitalization, discharge planning, and relevant post-acute care.
Identify patients and locate family members or next of kin.
Educate patients and significant others about obtaining health insurance; provide application information and documents, initiate or confirm medical assistance applications as applicable, and follow up with external agencies.
Supervise MSW student field placements and precept and mentor new staff members.
Refer cases to the Placement Official Social Worker when appropriate to assist with discharge placement.
Coordinate weekend discharge plans, including home care or hospice, transportation, and post-acute facility placements; provide updates to weekday staff and post-acute facility liaisons.
Perform trauma-specific assessments and develop interventions as applicable to the assigned location.
Manage Livanta appeal determinations and develop alternate discharge plans when necessary.
Review discharge orders to identify patients who can transition to the next level of care that day.
Assist with relevant 302 paperwork when necessary.

Benefits

Medical and prescription insurance
Supplemental insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life and AD&D insurance
Short- and long-term disability insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Retirement plans
Tuition assistance
Voluntary benefits with access to group insurance rates and discounts
Tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full-time service or two years of part-time service
Medical and prescription insurance access for all colleagues, including those working less than part-time