Social Worker - Per Diem

EvergreenHealth Monroe•Monroe, WA

19h

About The Position

Working under department management, the Social Worker partners with the Clinical Care Transitions Manager and other health care professionals to support continuity and coordination of care for patients and families. The role provides consultation about social, environmental, psychological, financial, and cultural factors related to illness and hospitalization, supports continuity in care management, and coordinates all aspects of discharge planning. The Social Worker provides services in Emergency, PCU, and Medical Surgical settings. The position includes supportive counseling, psychosocial and behavioral health interventions, crisis response, community-resource assessment, referrals, and coordination with patients, families, care providers, and outside agencies. The role maintains appropriate patient-contact documentation and follows the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work or a related field.
Two years of social work experience in an acute hospital or community setting.
Proficiency in reading, writing, comprehending, and speaking English as required for business necessity.
Age-specific or behavior-specific knowledge and experience relevant to the assigned patient populations, such as children, elderly patients, or people with emotional or behavioral dysfunction.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to work under stress.
Excellent customer service and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as a team member.
Oral and written language skills, visual skills, and aural skills sufficient to communicate effectively, ensure and provide for patient needs, and maintain a legal record of care.
Accountability for professional practice, commitment to patient care, and commitment to uphold the Patient Bill of Rights.
Ability and willingness to build and maintain relationships with patients, families, physicians, payers, other departments, and outside agencies.
Ability to operate a variety of equipment, including a personal computer and fax machine.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental and infection-control regulations.
Customer service and quality-improvement skills.
Ability to compile, analyze, and interpret medical data and forecast trends, and to implement protocols or standardization in collaboration with departments, managers, and medical staff.
Ability to work well with others and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Good judgment, initiative, goal orientation, and ability to educate and provide just-in-time training.
Ability to lift at least 50 pounds; bend, stoop, push, and pull; and vary between standing, walking, and sitting/computer work during the workday.

Nice To Haves

Preferred credential: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
Preferred credential: Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW).
Preferred credential: Social Worker Associate License (LSWAA or LSWAIC).
For employees hired before January 2012, one of the following credentials may also apply: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA).

Responsibilities

Provide supportive counseling to patients and families regarding emotional adjustment to illness, and manage assessments and referrals as needed.
Review patient charts to identify discharge needs and options, and coordinate a safe, effective discharge plan that reflects patient needs and preferences.
Help patients and families find information about local resources and continuing care providers, including SNF, DME, and home care.
Facilitate third-party payment for discharge-planning needs, including DSHS applications.
Manage a patient caseload across care settings, including initiating contact with post-discharge care providers.
Attend patient rounds, work with attending physicians and the care management team, and communicate discharge plans through documentation and direct communication.
Consult with medical and nursing staff about psychosocial and mental-status aspects of patient care.
Provide services in Emergency, PCU, and Medical Surgical settings.
Stay current on community resources and funding eligibility criteria.
Identify support resources, coordinate discharge planning and referrals, provide psychosocial interventions and other support services, and document these activities in patient records.
Provide psychosocial and behavioral health support for complex patient and family needs, including crisis intervention, drug and alcohol assessment, bereavement services, and individual or group support.
Maintain records of patient contacts, including contacts made on the patient’s behalf, and document contacts as appropriate in the medical record.
Respond to emergent patient crisis situations, patient and family meetings, and patient planning sessions.
Assess the need for community programs or resources.
Follow the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and act as a liaison between EvergreenHealth Monroe and outside authorities such as DMHP, CDHP, and DSHS when needed or requested.
Participate in required meetings, conference calls, webinars, and educational sessions.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.