Social Worker, Full-Time, Days, DMH

Huntsville Hospital Health System • Decatur, AL

1d

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 through discharge in collaboration with physicians, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals to support continuity of care, cost-effective use of resources, and patient, nurse, and physician satisfaction. The Social Worker is expected to demonstrate Decatur Morgan Hospital’s mission, vision, and values through their behavior.

The position assesses discharge needs, develops and updates plans with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team, coordinates referrals and services, and helps address barriers to efficient discharge. It also includes crisis intervention and on-call coverage, accurate and timely documentation, protection of patient rights and confidentiality, and compliance with organizational policies and professional ethics.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.
• Current Alabama licensure.
• Excellent communication skills and 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 situations.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify patients 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.
• Complete discharge, transfer, and referral forms in a timely manner.
• Evaluate intervention effectiveness against intended goals and revise discharge plans as needed.
• Report cases of abuse or neglect to the Department of Human Resources.
• Assess the need for and process requests for indigent programs and assistance.
• 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 with professionalism and skill, 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 related to 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 demonstrate initiative and accountability.
• Comply with organizational and Social Worker Code of Ethics requirements, including educational and licensure requirements.
• Adhere to hospital and departmental policies concerning confidentiality and patients’ rights.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time