Social Worker LCSW, Hispanic Transplant Program Full Time Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare•Chicago, IL

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

Northwestern Medicine recognizes the importance of cultural competence when it comes to patient care, which is why we offer the Northwestern Medicine Hispanic Transplant Program for patients who prefer to communicate in Spanish. The Northwestern Medicine Hispanic Transplant Program is the first transplant program in the country providing transplant care for Hispanic patients. Additionally, the program has the largest bilingual and bicultural transplant team of more than 40 specially trained professionals dedicated to serving patients in need of a transplant based on their cultural and language preferences. The Northwestern Medicine Hispanic Transplant Team supports the longstanding goal of providing individualized patient care for Hispanic patients undergoing kidney, liver or pancreas transplantation. In this role, the Hispanic transplant program social worker will have responsibility for both patient/clinical care, along with dialysis unit outreach and education. Patient care will include responsibilities highlighted on the “Social Worker LCSW” clinical job description. After training and education on the clinical responsibilities, the HTP SW will also have outreach responsibilities where you will act as the liaison with dialysis unit staff, (RN and SW) regarding their patients on the NM transplant list or in transplant evaluation. You will travel to dialysis units throughout the Chicagoland area and NW Indiana to educate patients, and professionals regarding kidney transplant. Dialysis unit visits can consist of “drop-in” visits to meet with staff along with full day “Lobby Day,” where you will spend 1-2 days at a unit speaking with all patients who come in for dialysis. This will allow time for meeting with patients to discuss transplant options and distribute NM transplant educational material. The professional we select will meet directly with abdominal transplant patients and their families to perform biopsychosocial assessments, and work in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team. This compassionate individual will recommend plans of intervention based on patient needs. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting patients in navigating complex financial/insurance issues, providing supportive counseling to patients in their re-adjustment to pre and post-transplant lifestyle and management of complications, and making referrals to outside mental health providers and agencies as necessary.

Requirements

Licensure in Illinois; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Master's Degree in Social Work from a school of social work accredited by CSWE.
Minimum of two years post-graduate experience in hospital Social Work or related settings.
A high level of interpersonal skills to affect positive outcomes.
Organizational skills necessary to prioritize and manage an appropriate caseload of patients coupled with performing the Social Worker functions.
Self-direction required for daily work.
Analytical skills necessary to independently collect, analyze, and interpret data, resolve problems requiring innovative solutions and to negotiate in sensitive situations.
Bilingual: English/Spanish

Responsibilities

Perform biopsychosocial assessments with abdominal transplant patients and their families.
Work in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team.
Recommend plans of intervention based on patient needs.
Assist patients in navigating complex financial/insurance issues.
Provide supportive counseling to patients in their re-adjustment to pre and post-transplant lifestyle and management of complications.
Make referrals to outside mental health providers and agencies as necessary.
Coordinate plans of action when barriers are present to facilitate resolution.
Collaborate and communicate with the interdisciplinary team throughout all phases of planning.
Seek consultation with and make referrals to appropriate disciplines/departments.
Act as an advocate for patients who require assistance to gain access to information, resources and services.
Manage and inform members of the healthcare team regarding necessary interventions.
Provide patients and families with education to promote wellness and increased knowledge of the healthcare system.
Complete timely documentation of all activities in the medical record and hospital-wide information systems.
Engage in quality improvement, as required.
Act as a liaison with dialysis unit staff (RN and SW) regarding their patients on the NM transplant list or in transplant evaluation.
Travel to dialysis units throughout the Chicagoland area and NW Indiana to educate patients and professionals regarding kidney transplant.
Conduct "drop-in" visits to meet with dialysis unit staff.
Conduct "Lobby Day" events at dialysis units, spending 1-2 days speaking with all patients who come in for dialysis.
Meet with patients to discuss transplant options and distribute NM transplant educational material.