Overview

Versiti is a fusion of donors, scientific curiosity, and precision medicine that recognize the gifts of blood and life are precious. We are home to the world-renowned Blood Research Institute, we enable life saving gifts from our donors, and provide the science behind the medicine through our diagnostic laboratories. Versiti brings together outstanding minds with unparalleled experience in transfusion medicine, transplantation, stem cells and cellular therapies, oncology and genomics, diagnostic lab services, and medical and scientific expertise. This combination of skill and knowledge results in improved patient outcomes, higher quality services and reduced cost of care for hospitals, blood centers, hospital systems, research and educational institutions, and other health care providers. At Versiti, we are passionate about improving the lives of patients and helping our healthcare partners thrive.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Manager, CCBD, and as a member of the comprehensive care team, the Social Worker has two primary areas of practice: psychosocial assessment /support and financial/insurance counseling. The CCBD Social Workers are expected to maintain competency in both areas, but may have a day to day focus in one area or the other and act as back up for each other.

Responsibilities

• Psychosocial Counseling and Support * Gathers and assesses data pertinent to psychosocial functioning of patients and families, including: education, vocation, lifestyle, interpersonal relationships, major life changes, coping techniques and abilities, and the psychosocial impact of living with a bleeding disorder or clotting disorder. Provides supportive counseling and education to patients, families, and caregivers in the clinic or hospital, in the patient’s home and by phone. * Develops and implements psychosocial treatment plans for patient, nuclear family and caregivers. * Within the parameters of patient confidentiality, records, maintains, and shares information pertinent to the treatment of the patient and family caregivers with other members of the treatment team. * Collaborates with the CCBD care team to develop and provide basic education programs regarding bleeding disorders and prevention of complications for schools, community organizations and patients’ extended families. * Establishes and maintains contacts within the bleeding disorders support community, including other treatment centers and hemophilia foundations. Act as a resource for support groups, retreats, seminars and educational programs.
• Financial /Insurance Counseling * Provides sound financial and insurance counseling to all CCBD patients and patient families, with strong priority in addressing the financial concerns of hemophilia and other serious bleeding disorder patients. Counseling is provided in the clinic setting, by phone, in the home or any other setting as necessary. * Maintains ongoing, frequent contact with CCBD patients/families to proactively identify potential upcoming life changes that could impact financial and insurance status, such as transitioning to adulthood, divorce, job changes, etc.; takes appropriate action to circumvent negative financial consequences and assure uninterrupted coverage. * Collects and continuously updates all insurance information on patients including primary and secondary insurance and co-pays, deductibles and OOP (out-of-pocket) limits, in-network providers, etc. Maintains all patient insurance, financial information and insurance notes in a data base that is accessible to CCBD and the Pharmacy team. * In collaboration with the Pharmacy team, procures all necessary and timely insurance verification and prior authorizations for factor products and other medications as well as medical treatment related to bleeding and clotting disorders. * Troubleshoots insurance issues; follows through with clear communication to ensure outcomes to insurance issues that are satisfactory to both the patient and the provider. * Assists the CCBD staff in providing documentation for insurance and Medicaid/Medicare denials, including for clotting and mild bleeding disorder patients. * Ensures that all home care patients are enrolled, when eligible, in contingency insurance coverage for factor product as well as medical care (e.g. WCDP—Wisconsin Chronic Disease Program, HIRSP—Health Insurance Risk Sharing Program, PSI—Patient Services, Inc., COBRA—Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, manufacturer’s Patient Assistance Programs, free trial offer programs and other insurance type programs, etc.); helps patients maintain their eligibility for these programs; maintains a list of multiple financial and programmatic resources for CCBD patients.
• GENERAL DUTIES * Functions as part of a comprehensive team, provides cross coverage for other team members, and provides assistance with process development, implementation of new programs and other initiatives, and other projects/duties as assigned; works very closely with BloodCenter’s Pharmacy staff to insure that CCBD patients have the necessary resources to access medical care and treatment. * Provides assistance to other members of the comprehensive care team and other BloodCenter departments, as necessary. * Collaborates with Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation (GLHF) for Patient Financial Assistance (PFA) referrals, advocacy, development of resources and other patient issues. * Assists in maintaining patient files / medical records and/or patient or pharmacy databases. * Participates in professional activities to keep current on social work/ insurance trends and regulations, including maintaining licensure.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

Education

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Human Services or related degree required

Experience

• 4-6 years experience required, providing psychosocial services, mental health and/ or family counseling preferably in a hospital or long term health care setting, required
• Ideal candidate would have some experience with public and private insurance counseling as well as some vocational /educational counseling. required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills required
• Excellent organizational and prioritization ability with attention to detail required
• Ability to work independently under minimum supervision as well as to function as a productive team member required
• Ability to assess psychosocial functioning of families and patients required
• Proficient in computer applications necessary for position, including Microsoft Office and databases/EMRs required
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and access to a vehicle required

Licenses and Certifications

• Social Work license required

Tools and Technology

• Personal Computer required

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