Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

**This is a Full Time, salaried position at 40 hours per week for Family Medicine located at the Gurnee clinic. Schedule is Monday through Friday, 8a-5p with no weekends.**

The Social Worker LCSW reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The LCSW will have extensive knowledge of and relationships with organizations providing community resources in northern Lake County and function in a referral capacity, informing patients and their families about available opportunities and eligibility. Patients will be informed about options for assistance during an in-person consult with the LCSW and also receive printed instructions they can take home about connecting directly with organizations. For medication affordability and enrollment in pharmaceutical assistance programs, the LCSW will work in conjunction with Northwestern Medicine’s pharmacy and ambulatory care teams to guide patients to secure enrollment.

Responsibilities:

Psychosocial Assessment and Intervention:

• Meets directly with patient/family to perform a comprehensive assessment including social, emotional, cultural, mental status, environmental and financial circumstances in conjunction with interdisciplinary assessment of the patient.
• Recommends a plan of intervention based on patient needs, preference and mutually established goals.
• Actively participates in the stages of discharge planning and ensures that the plan of care is coordinated, facilitated and effectively communicated to the physician(s), healthcare team, patient and family.
• Provide initial screening for all new patients to assure medical necessity, source of funding, and likelihood of needing Social Work and/or discharge planning services.
• Serves as the point person for the plan of care as it applies to discharge planning needs through facilitation of direct and continuous communication and collaborative decision making, including participation in multidisciplinary rounds and case conferences and other collaborative forums.
• Coordinates action plans when barriers are present to facilitate resolution.
• Coordinates discharge planning to ensure a timely discharge through early identification, assessment and intervention for post-hospital care needs.
• Patient assessment, plan coordination and changes to the plan occur, as necessary, to ensure that the patient is discharged when medically ready to:
  • Other acute hospitals;
  • Rehabilitative facilities;
  • Extended care facilities;
  • Sub acute care;
  • Psychiatric and chemical dependency care;
  • Return to home;
  • Other living arrangements.
• Meets directly with patient and family to assess needs, preferences and develop appropriate plan that involves home health care services in collaboration with the physician.
• Ensures/maintains plan consensus from patient/family, physician and payer. Timely discharge is facilitated through early identification, ongoing assessment and intervention for post-hospital care needs.
• Collaborates and communicates with multidisciplinary team in all phases of discharge planning, ensures/maintains plan consensus from patient/family, physician, and payer as indicated.
• Proactively identifies and resolves delays and obstacles to discharge. Utilizes advanced conflict resolution skills as necessary to ensure timely resolution of issues and system problems.
• Seeks consultation from and makes referrals to appropriate disciplines/departments as required to expedite discharge plan.
• Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and an ability to connect patients and families with these resources. Acts as an advocate on behalf of the patient who requires assistance to gain access to needed information, resources, or services.
• Completes timely documentation of activities in the medical record and hospital wide information systems.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the utilization management process which includes level of care assignment, communication with payors and benefit authorization for applicable situations.
• Uses data to drive decisions and plan/implement performance improvement strategies for assigned patients/units, including financial, clinical, quality and patient satisfaction data.
• Provides graduate level Social Work field supervision for students requiring a field placement.
• Assumes responsibility for professional development and meeting social work CEU requirements by participating in workshops, conferences, and/or inservices.
• Provides case management and support to patients with chronic illnesses in order to assist them in achieving medical and social stability. 
• Provides these services in both the community and in an outpatient clinic to ensure maximum flexibility.
• Initiates clinical contact with adults with chronic medical illness to engage them in setting and achieving measurable goals related to their health care needs throughout various hospital locations.
• Assists patients to identify and obtain appropriate medical and social services; advocates with these agencies for patients; as needed.
• Assists patient connect to federal entitlement appointments via public transportation as needed.
• Actively participates as a member of an interprofessional team; working with physicians, pharmacists, social workers, therapists, and psychiatrist to provide comprehensive patient care.
• Proactively collaborates with other Northwestern Medical Group programs as well as other community-based referral sources to ensure seamless coordination of patient care.
• Documents timely, accurate and appropriate clinical information in patient’s medical record.
• Documents tracking information and clinical data for patient tracking and research purposes.
• Performs evaluation of the physical environment and adequacy of support systems to prevent a crisis and/or hospitalization.
• Utilizes advanced problem-solving skills and creativity to coordinate action plans when barriers are present.
• Utilizes conflict resolution skills as necessary to ensure timely resolution of issues and system problems.
• Seeks consultation from and makes referrals to appropriate disciplines/departments as required to meet the goals outlined in the patient’s Health Improvement Plan.
• Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and an ability to connect patients and families with these resources.
• Provides patient and family education that promotes wellness and increases knowledge of the health care system.
• Complies with Northwestern Memorial Hospital policies on patient confidentiality including HIPAA requirements and Personal Rules of Conduct.
• Displays sound judgment when conducting visits to patients in diverse communities.

EOE/AA.

Qualifications

Required:

• Masters Degree in Social Work from a school of Social Work accredited by CSWE.
• Minimum of two years of post-graduate experience in hospital Social Work or related settings.
• A high level of interpersonal skills to affect positive outcomes.
• Organizational skills necessary to prioritize and manage an appropriate caseload of patients coupled with performing the Social Worker functions.
• Self-direction required for daily work.
• Analytical skills necessary to independently collect, analyze, and interpret data, resolve problems requiring innovative solutions and to negotiate in sensitive situations.
• Licensure in Illinois. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.