Social Work Designee - Dunklau Gardens - Full Time - Days

Nebraska Methodist Hospital•Fremont, NE

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The social work designee supports the resident, family, physician, and the interdisciplinary team in facilitating patient care with the underlying objective of enhancing the quality of clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. This position will be accountable for identifying and implementing the discharge plan for residents when appropriate from complex and at-risk populations. Works collaboratively with families, residents, and the business office specialist on patients who have complex psychosocial needs that require assistance with eligibility determination for social programs and funding sources. Works with long-term care residents within the facility as an advocate for the resident to ensure the best possible care, quality outcomes, and resident experience throughout their stay. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care that is appropriate to the patient as it relates to their emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs throughout their life span. Helps to facilitate operational accountabilities such as MDS, OPC, IDT, and investigations as required. Supports additional accountabilities of the social work department as needed, such as admissions, denials, and discharge planning in the skilled environment. Reports directly to the Admissions Coordinator but has responsibility to the DON as this position collaborates with nursing service.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in social work.
May consider Bachelor’s degree in public health or social services required.
Working towards licensure as a licensed social worker (LSW).
Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) strongly preferred to have at time of hire, required within 3 months of hire.
3 years of experience as a social worker designee or like experience working with the geriatric population required.
Constant sitting, frequent walking and standing, seeing, hearing, repetitive motion, and occasional lifting of general office materials typically weighing ten (10) pounds or less.
Must comply with safety and security requirements, and wear personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as requested or required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (e.g., MA, MS, MBA, MSN, MSW) or equivalent (e.g., CPA, PE, etc.) preferred.
Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education preferred.
2-3 years of experience as a medical social worker preferred.
Experience working with the geriatric population within the healthcare environment preferred.
Self-directed and an independent decision maker on many issues and interactions with patients and families.
Socially sensitive to cultural, social, emotional and mental aspects of people and responds appropriately.
Ability to work collaboratively with many other departments within and external to the organization and must do so with the mindset of cooperation and support.

Responsibilities

Identifies, initiates, and follows through with complex patient discharge plans that will accommodate the needs of the patient.
Makes referrals to post-acute agencies as directed by patient preference, level of care, insurance/coverage limitations, and agency abilities.
Proactively plans and identifies barriers for a sustainable plan at discharge and fosters early communication to all stakeholders.
Assists the patient and/or family with advance directives, power of attorney documents, and living wills.
Facilitates conversation regarding end-of-life goals and wishes with residents/patients and families.
Collaborates effectively with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to develop and implement the care plan for long-term residents of the facility.
Attends multi-disciplinary rounds, IDT, OPC, family meetings, and effectively contributes to the meeting topic and/or care planning of the resident.
Works with a diverse population of patients including those in palliative care, hospice, the Emergency Department, dementia, and those with behavioral health diagnoses.
Works with people of all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Identifies socially complex/high-risk patients, performs interviews, and intervenes on their behalf.
Assists the residents/families in financial matters in collaboration with the billing and business office staff, such as Medicaid applications.
Provides counseling to patients, families, and caregivers to ensure that optimum health benefits are met.
Documents in the medical record or MDS to not only provide a record of accountability but to inform and update the physician and other members of the health care team in a timely fashion to meet deadlines of compliance.
Participates in activities and other roles within the hospital and/or community that help to improve the quality and/or quantity of services available.
Performs job duties in a manner consistent with organizational and departmental safety policies and procedures.
Effectively and consistently utilizes the principles of A.I.D.E.T when communicating.