Northern Light A.R. Gould 

Department: Social Services - LTC-SNF

Position is located:Aroostook Health Center

Work Type: Full Time

Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Summary:

The Social Services department works with inpatients, outpatients, and their families in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team to help them cope with the social, emotional, and economic issues related to their illness so they might enjoy as optimal quality of life and independence as possible.

Responsibilities:

• Assess patients for risk and need.
• Provide support as needed.
• Discharge planning.
• Advocacy.
• Attending interdisciplinary rounds.
• Process letters of non-coverage.
• Assist with reclassification of patients as skilled, NHP or Boarding Home as appropriate.
• Review cases with the managed care companies (or designee).
• Complete precertification of all admissions that have a managed care system.
• Complete appeals on cases of Skilled and/or Long-Term Care stay denials.
• Serve on organizational committees.
• Assist with Policy updates.
• Participate in initiatives to reduce re-admissions.
• Provide ongoing education for topics not limited to dementia and Long-Term Care to staff as needed.
• Facilitate multi-disciplinary team meetings.
• Participate in weekly utilization review.
• Complete Performance Improvement monitoring for AHC Social Services.
• Assist residents and families with MaineCare requirements to ensure payment.
• Provide oversight to staff to ensure facility compliance with state and federal guidelines.
• Review department compliance with state and federal guidelines.

Other Information:

Competencies and Skills

• Achieves Results: Sets high standards for their own outcomes and seizes opportunities to engage others towards objectives. Consistently moves forward with direct actions in order to attain or exceed objectives. Manages their own time effectively to accomplish assigned tasks. Successfully prioritizes multiple projects and duties as needed.
• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
• Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.
• Demonstrates Adaptability: Learns quickly when facing a new problem or unfamiliar task; is flexible in their approach with changing priorities and ambiguity. Manages change effectively and does not give up during adversity. Capable of changing one's behavioral style and/or views in order to attain a goal. Absorbs new information readily and puts it into practice effectively.
• Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits a high level of self-awareness, self-management, other awareness and relationship management. Conducts themselves in an empathic, appropriate way, with a sense of humor and stimulates a collaborative work environment. Is respectful of the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others and aware of the influence of their own behavior on them. Is aware of relevant social, political, system, and professional trends and developments and uses this information for the organization's benefit.
• Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level.
• Exercises Sound Judgment & Decision Making: Understands and processes complex information, which allows for appropriate and accountable conclusions. Does not react too quickly or slowly. Balances facts, goals, and potential approaches taking the appropriate criteria into account. Makes active decisions and commits oneself by communicating confidently and respectfully.
• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
• Influences and Inspires: Builds enthusiasm and commitment among others to move in a desired direction and models it personally. Creates a compelling vision of success that motivates workplace initiative and energizes others to follow. Provides direction and guidance to encourage cooperation between team members in order to attain an objective. Has the ability to appropriately influence others' actions and decisions with and without express authority.
• Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.
• Promotes Health and Safety: Promotes a healthy and safe environment for patients, employees and visitors. Advocates and models healthy physical and mental health behaviors even in challenging circumstances. Sets high quality standards and strives for continuous improvement and quality assurance by reporting and encouraging others to report near misses and safety issues.
• Provides Patient-Centered Care: Demonstrates understanding of patient care quality and service as organizational priority. Proactively supports change to improve patient experience and results. Exhibits the ability and willingness to find out what the patient wants and needs and to act accordingly, taking the organizational and outside resources into account. Cooperates, collaborates, communicates, and integrates care within and between teams to ensure that care is continuous and reliable.
• Resolves Conflict: Promptly acts to find alternatives/solutions when team members disagree. Addresses issues in a direct, honest, and appropriate manner. Handles conflicting interests diplomatically and helps to solve them. Transforms difficult situations into teachable moments using respect and accountability .
• Seeks Process Improvement & Applies System Thinking: Possesses and gains insight into situations, problems and processes. Understands the interconnection between organizational elements. Deconstructs problems and systematically investigates the various components. Considers the impact of actions on the entire process/system. Detects problems and opportunities, recognizes important information, and links various data to trace potential causes and relevant details.
• Utilizes Resources Effectively: Understands how to get the most out of available resources and uses cost-benefit thinking in decision-making and in setting priorities. Monitors and analyzes resource usage to identify and eliminate areas of waste and maximize resources. As a leader, defines targets and provides appropriate means; oversees progress and makes adjustments when necessary. Appropriately delegates work, sets clear direction and manages workflow and time.

Credentials

• Required Licensed Social Worker

Education

• Required Bachelor's Degree

Working Conditions

• Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.
• Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.
• Potential exposure to diseases or infections.
• Need to drive to perform responsible duties.
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials.
• Lifting, moving and loading 20 to 30 pounds.
• Potential exposure to noise levels being uncomfortable.
• Prolonged periods of sitting.
• Alternate shift schedules (day, evening, nights, weekends).
• Potential exposure to noxious odors.
• Prolonged periods of standing.
• Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.
• Prolonged periods of walking.