Social Worker - Rural Health

Creighton University•Omaha, NE

About The Position

The Social Worker-Rural Health position is a full-time, grant-funded role within the School of Dentistry. The Social Worker identifies, assesses, and addresses social determinants of health that affect patients’ ability to access and maintain oral healthcare. The role provides case management, benefits navigation, resource coordination, advocacy, and referrals for patients served through community dentistry programs, including the After-Hours Clinic, Emergency Room Diversion Program, and rural outreach initiatives. Working with faculty, staff, students, community partners, and healthcare providers, the Social Worker helps remove barriers to care, connects patients with community resources, facilitates access to financial assistance and public benefits, and supports patient well-being. The position supervises a Healthcare Navigator and contributes to grant reporting, program evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program.
Certified Masters Social Worker (CMSW) required.
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or eligible for licensure in Nebraska.
Two to five years of experience in healthcare, community health, behavioral health, case management, or social services.
Knowledge of social determinants of health, community resources, public benefits programs, and healthcare systems.
Strong communication, assessment, organization, and documentation skills.
Skill in promoting positive interactions with patients, team members, and community partners.
Cultural competence.
Familiarity with nonprofit service providers for appropriate referrals.
Flexibility and a sense of humor are a plus.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with underserved, rural, uninsured, or Medicaid populations.
Experience in healthcare, dental, hospital, community clinic, or academic health settings.
Supervisory experience.
Bilingual skills, with Spanish preferred.
Experience with grant-funded programs and outcome reporting.
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP).

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive psychosocial and social determinants of health assessments to identify barriers to oral healthcare, including transportation, housing, food, financial, language, behavioral health, and insurance needs.
Develop and implement care plans addressing identified barriers and supporting access to dental and healthcare services.
Provide case management and follow-up to support connection to community resources and treatment recommendations.
Help patients navigate healthcare, insurance, and social service systems.
Screen patients for eligibility and facilitate enrollment in local, state, and federal assistance programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, and disability services.
Connect patients with financial assistance, community organizations, behavioral health services, transportation programs, housing resources, and other support services.
Advocate for patients facing barriers to recommended oral healthcare.
Collaborate with dentists, dental students, faculty, healthcare navigators, community partners, social service agencies, and healthcare providers.
Participate in interdisciplinary care coordination meetings and case discussions.
Communicate patient needs, assessment findings, and recommendations to the care team while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
Facilitate referrals to internal and external providers and track outcomes.
Supervise, train, and guide the Healthcare Navigator assigned to the After-Hours Clinic.
Monitor workflow to ensure patients receive timely benefits assistance, enrollment support, and referrals.
Develop processes and tools to improve patient access, resource coordination, and program effectiveness.
Maintain accurate records of assessments, referrals, benefits enrollments, and service outcomes.
Collect and report program metrics related to patient encounters, referrals, benefits enrollment, and social needs interventions.
Assist with grant reporting, program evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
Contribute data and patient outcome information for presentations, reports, and funding requirements.