Social Services Counselor - Fort Lauderdale/Coral Springs (Full Time, Days)

Nicklaus Children's Hospital•Fort Lauderdale, FL

19h

About The Position

Provides social work services to pediatric patients and families to maximize the benefit of health care services and support adjustment to diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and transition to home and community. Provides emotional support, advocacy, and community referrals. Ensures timely, safe, and effective implementation of physician-ordered discharge plans to avoid discharge delays and prevent avoidable readmissions. Works under the direction of the Manager of Case Management and in collaboration with RNs, Case Managers, and Physicians. Ensures all facets of patients’ post-acute care services are confirmed. The role includes psychosocial assessments and treatment planning, crisis response, discharge planning, referrals, documentation, and coordination with families, multidisciplinary teams, vendors, payers, and community partners. The counselor also supports departmental activities and onboarding, and may guide Social Work students. On-call, holiday, and weekend backup responsibilities may be required.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work obtained through at least a two-year graduate program.
One year of related experience.
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Basic computer proficiency.
Ability to adapt and react calmly in stressful situations.
Ability to perform and complete thorough initial assessments.
Ability to demonstrate strong patient and family advocacy skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive, protected health information.
Able to assume on-call, holiday, and weekend backup responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

One year of internship or work experience in an acute healthcare-related field; a Social Work setting is highly preferred.
One year of experience in a pediatric healthcare setting preferred; direct work experience with families preferred.
Previous training focused on end-of-life decisions, grief, and bereavement preferred.
Expertise in crisis intervention and risk assessment preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
Expertise in pediatric growth and development, including issues related to adolescence, preferred.
Expertise in coordinating and facilitating support groups preferred.
Knowledge of diverse cultural and spiritual perspectives regarding death and bereavement.
Knowledge of community resource systems, diverse treatment approaches, Florida state laws regarding child abuse and domestic violence, Baker Act procedures, HIV/AIDS-related guidelines, and Social Work theories and practices.

Responsibilities

Conduct in-depth psychosocial assessment interviews and formulate treatment plans, establish supportive relationships with families, and provide therapeutic interventions.
Complete timely, comprehensive pre-discharge screenings and collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to implement safe, timely, cost-effective discharge plans or transfers.
Keep families informed about completed and pending interventions and provide realistic options.
Document patient and family communications in the electronic health record, enter team-oriented follow-up notes, and provide daily handoffs regarding pending tasks to the Social Work team, departmental leadership, and assigned unit leadership.
Ensure physician orders for durable medical equipment, home healthcare, or placement are complete to prevent unnecessary discharge delays.
Make self-directed decisions, consult supervisors or directors on complex cases, discuss pertinent cases with fellow social workers, and thoroughly present case-transfer information to peers on the next shift.
Manage an assigned caseload and prioritize cases by urgency, acuity, and overall impact on families; assist with off-service assignments, rotations, and departmental scheduling or staffing needs.
Respond promptly to crises, address end-of-life concerns, support patients and families facing difficult decisions, monitor completion of death packet contents, make timely referrals to Life Alliance, and assist families with funeral resources.
Lead responses to trauma, child abuse or neglect, human trafficking, and domestic violence situations; report cases to appropriate protective service agencies in accordance with hospital policy.
Respond to requests for information and referrals; serve as a resource to families and team members about Social Work services and community agencies; coordinate with patients, vendors, payers, and community partners to facilitate safe transitions.
Manage discharge-planning referrals, responses, transportation, and required authorizations.
Participate in departmental and hospital projects, activities, committees, initiatives, leadership councils, and supportive or educational endeavors.
Participate in orientation for new social workers, interns, and multidisciplinary team members; when indicated, serve as a field instructor or task supervisor for Social Work students.
Assist Case Management as needed with providing Medicare patients the Important Message from Medicare (IM Notice), MOON, and HOON in accordance with CMS guidelines, policy, and compliance standards.
Maintain contact with the patient’s legal guardian and/or DCF during hospitalization to explain the treatment program, address concerns or questions, and promptly follow up on concerns.