Clinical Social Worker

Reports to the Manager of Social Services. Provides short-term counseling, crisis intervention and discharge planning services to diverse patient populations. Completes comprehensive psychosocial assessment to determine necessary clinical interventions and assess scope of discharge planning needs. Actively coordinates the planning and implementation of a continuity of care plan. Participates with a multidisciplinary team in the development of individualized treatment plan. Has extensive knowledge of community resources, programs, and agencies.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Assessment/Care Coordination:

• Completing Comprehensive Psychosocial assessment and history to determine treatment and discharge planning needs, financial need, etc.
• Interviewing the patient and/or family in order to obtain pertinent medical, financial, social and/or psychological data needed to assess patient status and potential needs.
• Reviewing the patient's progress, psychosocial status, and ongoing assessment of level of care.
• Collaborating with appropriate medical, nursing and multi-disciplinary staff in order to ensure seamless coordination of efforts within the healthcare associates.
• Involving the patient and family in care planning and treatment decisions.
• Ensuring documentation accurately and thoroughly represents Clinical Social Worker's contacts with PT and significant others, clearly reflects role in provision of patient care, discharge planning, etc.
• Documenting assessments, interventions and outcomes in order to maintain appropriate case records and statistics in accordance with the Hospital's requirements and outside agency standards.
• Identifying patients and families who may qualify for state, federal or other funding programs and refer to appropriate financial department (i.e. Eligibility Specialists or Financial Counselors).

Provides clinical therapy services for patients with complex, psychiatric, social, medical and financial problems by:

• Providing short-term therapeutic counseling for patients, families and/or significant others.
• Conducting daily group therapy sessions focusing on identified patient problems/needs as determined in pt assessment and treatment plan.
• Assisting patients/families in understanding the psycho-social implications of diagnosis and complexities of the medical situation.
• Participating in and/or facilitating meetings with other healthcare associates in order to assist in recommending, developing and/or coordinating an adequate treatment plan for the patient.
• Working collaboratively with Utilization Review and other departments to obtain and share information regarding patient's clinical status and/ or disposition.
• Ensuring quality care is provided by identifying and resolving barriers that hinder effective patient care in order to move the patient efficiently through the continuum of care.

Actively coordinates and facilitates the development of a continuity of care (discharge) plan for the patient by:

• Identifying patient/family needs for services and refer patients and families to community agencies and resources based on patient's medical and psychosocial situation.
• Gathering information through assessment and from a variety of sources, including multi-disciplinary healthcare associates.
• Acting as a patient advocate.
• Providing conflict management between patients and families or between patients/families and the multi-disciplinary healthcare associates.
• Identifies appropriate psychiatric aftercare needs and secures necessary appointments. Coordinates with outside providers to increase successful transition to aftercare treatment.

Participates in appropriate community activities related to social services/behavioral health functions by:

• Providing consultation and education to agencies and groups as requested.
• Supervising MSW student interns as arranged by both Manager and Associate.
• Developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with community providers, agencies, groups, etc.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

• Staying abreast of recent developments in their field of expertise.
• Attending in-services and department meetings; participating in continuing education and conferences as approved.
• Maintaining professional affiliations as appropriate.
• Reading current professional literature and journals.
• Participating in hospital activities and committees when appropriate.
• Serving as a resource to the hospital and the community in area(s) of expertise.
• Completing other job-related assignments and special projects as directed.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:

• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

 

Education and Experience

• The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW), including knowledge of current trends, developments, treatment modalities, etc. for patients with psychiatric and/or psychological disorders. Additional discharge planning or case management experience is desired. A minimum of two years of professional experience performing essential hospital or healthcare social services functions is preferred. Licensure or eligibility for licensure in the State of Indiana as a licensed clinical social worker is required. Must obtain license within 3 years of accrual of required clinical hours necessary to sit for LC SW exam (assuming full time work schedule).

Knowledge & Skills

• Requires the skills necessary to provide self-directed social services, including therapeutic individual, family and group counseling and crisis intervention.
• Requires solid clinical assessment skills needed to provide clinical problem solving. Also requires general knowledge of illnesses, current treatments and their psycho-social effects.
• Requires a thorough knowledge of community agencies, services, entitlement programs and financial resources available on a federal, state, and local level to assist patients and families in Indiana and other states.
• Requires knowledge of state and local adult and child protective legal mandates and understanding of family systems.
• Requires a solid understanding of medical insurance and managed care concepts.
• Requires knowledge of the discharge planning process, hospital transfers, and referrals to home care. Must be comfortable with patients in the acute care setting including end of life care.
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain professional composure under pressure, work with difficult personalities, and the ability to handle crises and difficult situations effectively. Requires a strong work ethic, independent professional judgment, initiative, problem-solving, organizational and planning skills.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-specific care appropriate to the patients served. Also understands and respects cultural, ethnic, religious, and economic differences among patients.
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships. Also requires the ability to be empathic and abide by mutual respect policy.
• Demonstrates the interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) and listening skills necessary to counsel patients and families with psychological and/or psychiatric disorders. This requires the ability to communicate in a tactful, sincere and effective manner with patients from a variety of backgrounds, healthcare professionals, various hospital staff and agencies outside the hospital.
• Demonstrates proficiency in basic computer skills (i.e., data entry, word processing and related applications); also requires the ability to access information on the Internet.
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain flexibility and a positive attitude.
• Demonstrates and maintains ethical conduct and the ability to exercise discretion. Also requires a solid understanding of hospital policies/practices related to patient confidentiality.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and a commitment to Beacon Health System's mission and values; and the organization's goal of providing exceptional patient experiences by following the Performance Essentials.

Working Conditions

• Works in a high-stress office and patient care environment with rapidly-shifting priorities and competing demands. Also has some contact with patients and family members who may be under considerable stress.
• May be exposed to bio-hazards.
• Ability to work flexible hours to handle urgent situations.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability, stamina, visual acuity, and manual dexterity (i.e. to stand/walk for prolonged periods of time, push wheelchairs/carts, etc.) to perform the essential functions of the position.