Social Work Advocate I

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Social Work Advocate I (SWA-I) provides assessment, case management, and social service coordination support to address barriers to patient’s optimal health related to Social Influencers of Health (SIOH). Connects patients with designated community agencies for resources to meet social, financial and environmental needs, and provides advocacy, crisis intervention, and resource assistance to patients and families.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Assesses patient psychosocial factors as it relates to achieving and maintaining patient’s optimum health and wellness.
2. Provides advanced problem solving, refers patients to community agencies/resources to address needs and improve outcomes related to social influencers of health.
3. Develops, implements and assesses continuing patient-oriented goals to support patient’s health and wellness, with awareness of social support system deficits and barriers.
4. Intervenes with patients and their family/support system to alleviate barriers to health and coordinates care across interdisciplinary team of providers.
5. Coordinates with community agencies to access services to meet patient’s psychosocial needs.
6. Delivers basic crisis interventions and empowers patients with management of needs and barriers.
7. Maintains accurate and timely documentation of patient encounters and care coordination, billing appropriately for services and support provided.
8. Actively participates in ongoing trainings to ensure provision of care considering age, literacy, language barriers, developmental, socioeconomic, gender identity, cultural, spiritual, and other diversity circumstances.
9. Maintains established productivity and quality standards; assumes additional responsibilities and performs work within position licensure, as required.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. Creates a positive, professional, service-oriented work environment for staff, patients and family members by supporting the mission and values of Trinity Health Medical Group.
2. Must be able to work effectively as a member of the Medical Social Work team.
3. Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.
4. Successfully completes all relevant organizational training and adheres to Trinity Health Medical Group standard of care as outlined in the Trinity Health Code of Conduct.
5. Maintains knowledge of and complies with Trinity Health Medical Group standards, policies and procedures.
6. Maintains general knowledge of Trinity Health Medical Group office services and in the use of all relevant office equipment, computer and manual systems.
7. Maintains strict confidentiality in compliance with Trinity Health Medical Group and HIPAA guidelines.
8. Serves as a role model by demonstrating exceptional ability and willingness to take on new and additional responsibilities.  Embraces new ideas and respects cultural differences.
9. Uses resources efficiently.
10. Maintains appropriate licensure/certification and continuing education credentials, participates in available learning opportunities.

MEASURED BY:

Performance that meets or exceeds IHA CARES Values expectation as outlined in IHA Performance Review document, relative to position.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.

CREDENTIALS/LICENSURE: Valid, Bachelor-level license to practice clinical social work in the State of Michigan.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: Minimum of one year of experience in social work setting with vulnerable populations. Preferred crisis intervention and medical setting experience.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ABILITIES & SKILLS):

1. Proficient in operating a standard computer system, including but not limited to electronic medical records, e-learning, Microsoft Office and computer navigation needed to complete the tasks of clinical care and performance reporting.  Ability to use other software as required while performing the essential functions of the job.
2. Ability to complete additional Health Stream requirements as assigned.
3. Applied understanding of how social determinants affect health outcomes.
4. Ability to collaboratively function as member of interdisciplinary team and recognize impact of treatment goals, utilization and outcome.
5. Familiarity and compliance with NASW Code of Ethics and any applicable accrediting organizations.
6. Extensive knowledge of community resources, and awareness of unique vulnerable populations’ needs and services, and all aspects of community outreach and education.
7. Excellent interpersonal communication skills in both written and verbal forms, including proper phone etiquette, conflict management and de-escalation. Ability to speak before groups of people, either in-person or virtually.
8. Ability to work effectively with various levels of organizational members and diverse populations including IHA staff, executive management and Behavioral Health staff, providers, patients, family members, insurance carriers, vendors, external customers and community resource groups and providers.
9. Ability to cross-train in other areas of practice in order to achieve smooth flow of all operations.
10. Demonstrates excellent organization and time management skills to effectively juggle multiple priorities and time constraints
11. Ability to exercise advanced clinical judgement and competent problem-solving skills independently and productively.
12. Ability to travel to other office/practice sites and meeting and training locations as required.
13. Successful completion of IHA competency-based program within introductory and training period.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. Physical activity that often requires keyboarding, phone work and charting.
2. Physical activity that often requires extensive time working on a computer.
3. Physical activity that often requires lifting, pushing and/or pulling up to 20 pounds.
4. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust and focus. 
5. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment.
6. Must hear and speak well enough to conduct business for long periods of time in English.

MINIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPECTATIONS:

This job may operate in a medical facility and require regular walking to various locations around the hospital/clinic. Employees could be working where there is patient care equipment. Hazardous materials, including bloodborne pathogens and bodily fluids are also present. Exposure to sharps, x-rays, patients' conditions and some unpleasant sights, smells and contagious diseases is possible. This position requires significant interaction with people (many of whom are scared, hurt and/or ill) which can be stressful and result in competing priorities.