Social Worker, Palliative Care

St. Luke's University Health Network•Allentown, PA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker is responsible for coordinating the complex care planning needs of patients and families, as well as to provide supportive counseling, psychosocial assessment and interventions for patients with complex psychiatric, social, medical, and financial needs. The social worker provides: information, education, and support; mental health support/guidance; identification of problem areas that require additional intervention; and connecting patients with formal (professional) and less formal (family and community) resources available to address concerns. The Social Worker also assists the interdisciplinary team in order to help the patient and families cope with hospitalization, illness, diagnoses, treatment, and other issues as they prevent a barrier to efficient patient throughput and quality outcomes.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited university
Current PA Social Work license preferred (LCSW).
Minimum of 2 year’s experience working with geriatric population.

Responsibilities

Screens patients, upon referral or according to high risk criteria for psychosocial needs.
Conducts psychosocial assessment when indicated to identify emotional, social and environmental issues impacting quality outcomes and efficient patient throughput.
Provides crisis intervention, supportive counseling and advocacy to assist patients and/or family with adjustment associated with illness, hospitalization and/or alternative care placement.
Facilitates the decision making process in complex cases.
Seeks appropriate consultation and referral services for psychosocial intervention (both during hospitalization and as follow-up).
Communicates findings to care coordinator and other members of the interdisciplinary team and intervenes as appropriate in order to ensure a proactive approach to crisis intervention and efficient patient throughput.
Documents according to policy.
Helps patient/family understand, accept and follow medical recommendations within the context of self-determination.
Helps patients understand their rights in regards to patient choice, medical treatment, advanced directives and other related issues.
Initiates appropriate referrals to the Ethics Committee, Physician Advisor, Risk Management or Legal Services, as appropriate.
Facilitates resolution of issues surrounding patient care in a compassionate manner, functioning as a patient advocate.
Coordinates and ensures reporting of mandated child and elder abuse/neglect as required by law.
Ensures advance directives are in place and honored according to patient wishes.
Facilitates resource acquisition for the unfunded patient, as available.
Provides education to patient and families around issues related to adaptation to the patient’s diagnosis, illness, treatment, discharge plan and/or life situation.
Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings and provides leadership in representing the social work perspective.
Serves as a resource to members of the interdisciplinary team and patient/family regarding coverage issues, discharge options and community resources
Documents according to policy.
Employs a high degree of skill in all oral and written communications and personal interactions and demonstrates collaborative working relationships.
Uses appropriate resources and methods to resolve conflict with others.
Meets assigned deadlines and quality standards without reminder from supervisor or others.
Maintains a calm, rational, professional demeanor when dealing with others, even in situations involving conflict or crisis.
Maintains absolute adherence to hospital and departmental policies and practices regarding confidentiality and patient's rights.
Demonstrates knowledge and support of the hospital's mission and values.
Maintains clinical competency and current knowledge of regulatory and payer requirements to perform job responsibilities.
Comply with all applicable state and federal regulations as well as The Joint Commission requirements regarding the SW process.
Acts as resource to staff for issues related to Social Work processes
Act as resource to the staff for regulatory issues regarding the discharge-planning and psychosocial processes.