Social Worker (LCSW) - Inpatient Surgery, Full-Time, Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker LCSW is a licensed, master’s-prepared, experienced and independent generalist clinician who provides complex psychosocial interventions and facilitates plans of care through discharge planning and resource utilization for patient populations throughout the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus. The role collaborates with patient care staff, medical staff and ancillary departments, integrating social work services with the broader patient care process. For each problem or concern, the social worker develops observable and measurable goals and expected outcomes related to problem resolution, resource management and patient satisfaction. The schedule consists of four 10-hour shifts.

Requirements

• Illinois licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
• Master’s degree in Social Work from a school of social work accredited by CSWE.
• At least two years of post-graduate experience in hospital social work or related settings.
• Strong interpersonal skills to affect positive outcomes.
• Organizational skills to prioritize and manage an appropriate patient caseload while performing social worker functions.
• Self-direction in daily work.
• Analytical skills to independently collect, analyze and interpret data, resolve problems requiring innovative solutions, and negotiate in sensitive situations.

Responsibilities

• Meet with patients and families to conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments, including social, emotional, cultural, mental status, environmental and financial circumstances, in coordination with interdisciplinary assessments.
• Recommend interventions based on mutually established goals and provide psychosocial support for illness and disability, informed decision-making, hospital adjustment, post-hospital care needs, insurance and payment issues, psychiatric symptoms, chemical dependency, conflict, and family or personal relationship concerns.
• Address gynecological and obstetrical issues, including teen pregnancy, parenting, adoption planning, infant developmental problems, drug-exposed neonates, fetal death, unplanned pregnancy and pregnancy termination.
• Assess outpatients’ physical environments and support systems to help prevent crises or hospitalization.
• Provide crisis intervention and protective services for vulnerable patients, including older adults without support, suspected abuse or neglect victims, assault and domestic violence victims, people experiencing homelessness, and patients needing guardianship or protective services.
• Participate in discharge planning and coordinate communication of the plan of care among physicians, the healthcare team, patients and families.
• Screen new patients for medical necessity, funding sources and potential social work or discharge planning needs.
• Serve as a point person for discharge planning, including participation in multidisciplinary rounds and case conferences, collaborative decision-making and coordination of action plans to resolve barriers.
• Identify, assess and intervene early regarding post-hospital care needs; coordinate timely placement or return to the community when patients are medically ready.
• Assess patient and family needs and preferences and develop plans for home health services in collaboration with physicians; maintain plan consensus among patients or families, physicians and payers as applicable.
• Identify and resolve discharge delays and obstacles, using conflict resolution and referrals or consultation with appropriate disciplines and departments.
• Connect patients and families with community resources and advocate for access to needed information, resources and services.
• Facilitate review of high-risk cases by the Office of General Counsel and Risk Management, inform appropriate team members of needed interventions, and coordinate interventions with the healthcare team.
• Educate patients and families to promote wellness and increase knowledge of the healthcare system.
• Document activities promptly in the medical record and hospital-wide information systems.
• Apply utilization management knowledge, including level-of-care assignment, payer communication and benefit authorization when applicable.
• Support collection and reporting of financial and case management indicators, and use financial, clinical, quality and patient satisfaction data to plan and implement performance improvement strategies for assigned patients or units.
• Provide graduate-level field supervision for social work students requiring a field placement.
• Maintain professional development and social work continuing education requirements through workshops, conferences or in-services.
• Comply with patient confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital rules of conduct.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits, including tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness and 401(k) matching.
• A wide range of benefits intended to support employees’ physical, emotional and financial well-being and provide protection for unexpected life events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level