Medical Social Worker

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Assists home care patients to cope with their social and health related problems, to adapt to illness or disability and to

provide the supportive structure necessary to aid them in obtaining the maximum benefits from Home Care and the community resources.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assesses the patient's physical, psychological, emotional and social needs as they relate to the patient's illness, need for care, response to treatment and adjustment to care.
2. Assesses patient according to the social work assessment guidelines and participates with the other health team members in the care plan development.
3. Provides appropriate case work including necessary patient counseling to assist in resolving problems relative to the patient's disease process as it complicates the individuals home situation, financial resources and availability of community resources.
4. Completes the social work assessment and documents plans and goals in the patient's clinical record within established guidelines.
5. Provides ongoing support to the patient/family and significant others securing needed community services, alternative plan of care or help in adjusting to difficulties related to illness.
6. Makes appropriate referrals for outside community support services.
7. Provides assistance with discharge planning in relation to placement and outside community referrals.
8. Prepares progress notes and completes required documentation promptly, accurately and concisely, in Accordance with Agency Policy, Medicare and other third party reimbursement regulations.
9. Has access to electronic or manual protected health information by scope and responsibility. Will be required to adhere to the privacy practices as detailed in the Notice of Privacy Practices, privacy policies and procedures.
10. Maintains Professional License by completing the State mandated Child Abuse CEU’s.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Acts as a consultant to other professionals as required within the company.
2. Maintains liaison with others providing service to assure that their efforts effectively compliment one another and support the objectives outlined in the plan of treatment.
3. Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
4. Participates in patient care conferences evaluation conferences and Patient Chart Review Audits, as needed.
5. Identifies the need for medical evaluation and for interdisciplinary referrals and acts accordingly to see that these needs are met.
6. Assumes other duties as assigned by the Administrator or designee.

SPECIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Honest
2. Punctually and reliability
3. Few mistakes or accidents; ability to work safely; ability to focus attention
4. Calm pleasant demeanor; ability to get along with others at all levels
5. Knowledge and skills to perform the job
6. Ability to solve problems, provide workable solutions and implement their actions.
7. Self starting and self directed
8. Self-critical
9. Scheduling flexibility and availability
10. Organized and efficient
11. Effective, efficient computer skills
12. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
13. Operate basic office equipment
14. Maintain confidentiality
15. Knowledge and skill of Home Health or Community Health Nursing.
16. Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others
17. Ability to objectively analyze problem situations, provide workable solutions and implement their actions
18. Ability to accept full responsibility for his/her actions and be accountable to the patient and Landmark Home Health Care Services

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, LICENSURE REQUIRED:

1. Master’s Degree in Social Work.
2. At least one (1) year of experience in a health care setting.
3. Knowledge and skill in Home Health Social Service.
4. Knowledge of current home health insurance reimbursement regulations.
5. Knowledge of community resources.
6. Currently licensed to operate a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania and necessary insurance coverage as mandated by the State.
7. Maintain current CPR.

PHYSICAL JOB DEMANDS:

1. Ability to physically move, lift or shift 100 lbs.
2. Ability to stand, walk, climb and descend stairs, reach above objects.
3. Able to safely operate a motor vehicle.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or as schedule dictates.
2. Maintains a safe driving record and a vehicle in dependable working order.

DISCLAIMER CLAUSE:

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties and responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, physical job demands, and working conditions associated with the job.