Social Worker, Full-Time, Days, DMH

HH Health System•Decatur, AL

About The Position

The Social Worker facilitates resource management activities and discharge planning for identified patients. The role coordinates each patient’s stay from admission to discharge by collaborating with physicians, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals to support continuity of care, cost-effective resource utilization, and patient, nurse, and physician satisfaction. The Social Worker also demonstrates Decatur Morgan Hospital’s mission, vision, and values through their behavior. The position assesses patients’ discharge needs, develops and updates discharge plans with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary healthcare team, coordinates community referrals and discharge documentation, and helps identify and resolve barriers to efficient discharge. It also provides crisis intervention and on-call coverage, supports patients and families, maintains appropriate records and confidentiality, and complies with professional, departmental, and organizational standards.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.
Current Alabama licensure.
Demonstrated excellent communication skills.
Ability to work with a diverse population.
Ethical and professional conduct.
Ability to collaborate with professionals from social service and governmental agencies.
Emotional resilience and stability in crisis-related work.

Nice To Haves

Two years of hospital experience preferred.
Previous discharge-planning or hospital-based social-service experience is very beneficial.
Comparable combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Proactively identify or receive referrals for patients likely to need discharge planning assistance.
Complete initial and ongoing assessments of patients’ discharge needs.
Develop discharge plans based on assessments and agreed-upon goals with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
Contribute to the interdisciplinary plan of care and ensure it is consistent with the discharge plan and patients’ continuing care needs.
Make timely referrals to appropriate community services to support continuity of care.
Ensure timely completion of discharge, transfer, and referral forms.
Evaluate whether interventions meet their intended goals and revise discharge plans as needed.
Report cases of abuse or neglect to the Department of Human Resources.
Assess needs for indigent programs and assistance, and process requests for them.
Participate in interdisciplinary patient meetings on assigned units to identify and coordinate the removal of barriers to efficient discharge.
Communicate all critical elements of the discharge plan to the patient or caregiver and document them in the medical record.
Ensure documentation consistently meets department and organizational standards.
Communicate and interact professionally, both orally and in writing.
Provide effective on-call coverage and crisis intervention for patients, families, and hospital team members.
Problem-solve effectively in crisis situations.
Comply with department and organizational policies, including those concerning attendance, behavior, dress code, productivity, and required meetings.
Attend department and team staff meetings, including at least three-quarters of scheduled meetings.
Maintain professional growth and accountability.
Comply with organizational and Social Worker Code of Ethics requirements, including education and licensure requirements.
Adhere to hospital and departmental policies regarding confidentiality and patients’ rights.
Perform additional duties as assigned.