Social Work Assistant

Saint Barnabas Medical Center•New York, NY

About The Position

The Social Work Assistant supports patient care and care transitions under the direction of professional staff and the Director of Care Transitions leadership team. The role helps maintain patient flow, performs related clerical and referral duties, communicates with patients and care teams, and supports safe, respectful, patient-centered care. The position includes direct contact with adult and geriatric patients in a demanding, fast-paced office environment. Specific navigator duties include connecting patients with resources such as housing, food, and legal services based on social determinants of health; referring patients to community agencies, Health Homes, and substance use programs; contacting patients discharged from medical or psychiatric units; following up on outpatient mental health and medical appointments; assisting high-utilizing emergency department patients; and communicating patient needs, discharge barriers, and psychosocial concerns to the supervising social worker. The assistant participates in multidisciplinary rounds and care conferences as appropriate and documents navigator notes in EPIC. The role also requires timely handling of emails and telephone calls, daily review of messages, and activation of out-of-office notifications on scheduled days off. Working conditions are 35 hours per week, seven hours per day as assigned, with moderate-to-heavy physical activity including considerable walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting.

Requirements

Associate degree at minimum.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Successful completion of St. Barnabas Hospital orientation.
Ability to perform moderate-to-heavy physical activity, including considerable walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting.
Ability to work 35 hours per week, seven hours per day as assigned.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a medical setting or two years of relevant work experience.
Bilingual ability.
Knowledge of computer technology.

Responsibilities

Promote a safe, cooperative, professional health care environment and support optimum patient care.
Follow hospital policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, including attendance, timekeeping, telephone usage, dress code, and conduct requirements.
Provide courteous, professional customer service and direct concerns or questions to the appropriate hospital personnel in a timely manner.
Assist professional staff in delivering patient care in consideration of patients’ age and developmental level.
Perform tasks assigned by the Director of Care Transitions leadership team.
Maintain an orderly flow of patients and help direct patient flow through effective communication.
Follow OSHA standards and infection-control policies.
Seek direction and supervision when needed while working independently where appropriate.
Verify patient identity using two identifiers before performing procedures.
Adapt to changing assignments and staffing needs and manage workload appropriately.
Perform clerical duties that support continuity of patient care, use computer technology, and enter data accurately.
Discharge patients and make referrals as indicated by the team.
Maintain a safe patient environment and report unsafe conditions to the unit manager.
Communicate respectfully and professionally with patients, families, and coworkers; respect cultural differences and maintain confidentiality.
Participate in staff meetings and the Department Quality Improvement Program; report to duty promptly and comply with attendance, dress code, and identification badge policies.
Support the mission and philosophy of St. Barnabas Hospital and participate in staff development and ongoing learning.
Meet annual health assessment requirements and identify learning strengths and needs.
Modify approaches and communication techniques to meet the needs of adult and geriatric patients.
Provide patients with resources such as housing, food, and legal services based on social determinants of health.
Refer patients to community agencies, including Meals on Wheels, and to Health Homes and substance use programs.
Contact patients discharged from medical or psychiatric units and follow up on outpatient mental health and medical appointments.
Assist the top 50 emergency department utilizers.
Communicate patient needs, discharge barriers, and psychosocial concerns to the supervising social worker.
Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and care conferences as appropriate.
Document patient care navigator notes in EPIC.
Respond to incoming emails and calls promptly, review emails and voicemails daily, and activate out-of-office notifications on scheduled days off.
Perform other duties as assigned.