Social Worker LCSW - Northeast Georgia Physicians Group NGPG - Palliative Care - FT Days

Northeast Georgia Health System•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Social Worker LCSW is the program manager for outpatient psychotherapy and counseling services to patients and families, and a key member of the interdisciplinary leadership of Palliative Care across inpatient and outpatient services. The role primarily coordinates behavioral health needs and psychosocial support for patients and families treated in the outpatient Palliative Care Clinic. The social worker provides psychotherapy, counseling, psychosocial interventions, assessments, care planning, advocacy, and referrals to community resources. The position collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and community providers, supports patients and families with benefits and advance care planning documents, and maintains clinical documentation in accordance with applicable standards. The role manages a caseload of 15–22 patients and participates in bereavement services as applicable.

Requirements

Georgia license in Social Work (LCSW).
Current BCLS certification.
Master's degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
One to three years of experience in a hospital, agency, or institution providing related health care services.
Knowledge of social work.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
High energy and ability to function effectively in a dynamic work environment.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

Provide individual and/or group psychotherapy and counseling to patients and families, and organize or lead groups that support understanding, coping skills, knowledge, and patient and family support.
Refer patients, clients, or families to community resources that may assist with recovery from mental or physical illness.
Provide psychosocial interventions appropriate to cultural needs and developmental stage across the continuum of illness, including supportive counseling, psychoeducation, anticipatory guidance, facilitation of family meetings, and non-pharmacological triage of pain and symptom management.
Maintain documentation and notation for psychotherapy and counseling services, monitor and evaluate client progress, and record progress against measurable treatment and care plan goals.
Assess risk and intervene clinically regarding polysubstance abuse, drug diversion, suicidal ideation, abuse, neglect, exploitation, grief, loss, and adaptation across the continuum of illness.
Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate medical or physical concerns and assess client needs.
Serve as a liaison between the palliative care team and hospital quality improvement, case management and social services, chaplain services, hospice, home care agencies, long-term care and assisted living facilities, and other community services.
Regularly review cases of patients at risk for significant social problems.
Develop the plan of care with the interdisciplinary team and plan interventions based on patient and family assessments.
Assess and regularly reassess the needs of patients and families, as documented in the clinical record.
Prepare plans of treatment with short-term goals based on patient evaluation and in consultation with the referring physician and interdisciplinary team, following applicable policies and procedures.
Assist patients with applications for Medicare, Medicaid, VA, and other appropriate benefits.
Help patients and families respond to special correspondence and complete forms, and assist with verification of patients' financial status.
Attend monthly and periodic team meetings related to operational and administrative functions of the palliative care service.
Assist patients with completing advance care documents and POLST documents in collaboration with the clinical team.
Document interventions and patient care planning in accordance with state, federal, regulatory, and agency standards.
Manage a caseload of 15–22 patients and adhere to physicians' orders for visit frequency.
Advocate for the patient and family unit and make necessary contacts with interdisciplinary team members, including volunteers, to facilitate care.
Help health team members understand the significant social and emotional factors involved in caring for terminally ill patients and their families.
Participate in bereavement services for families and patients, as applicable.
Provide counseling services within the framework of physicians' orders and the interdisciplinary team plan.
Complete special projects and reports requested by the Medical Director and/or Director of Inpatient Medicine in a timely manner.