Social Worker (LCSW) - Behavior Health Unit/Per Diem/Days

Job Title: Per Diem: Social Worker (LCSW) - 1 shift per week, weekend availability required

Job Summary: Provides for a planned and systematic process for monitoring and evaluation of all patients, assessing the medical, financial, psychosocial, and physical needs after discharge from an acute hospital. Directs, supervises, evaluates, and provides social services to clients/patients as prescribed by the attending physician. Communicates with patients and their families to ensure every effort is directed toward helping them develop an adequate continuing care plan in preparation for discharge from the hospital. Assists patients and their families in resolving personal and environmental difficulties which predispose an individual to illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from medical care.

Actively and consistently contributes to department operations and communications, behaves in a manner consistent with the mission, vision, and values of Pipeline Health, upholding standards of AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank you) patient communication.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Essential Functions:

• Provides direct social work services and counseling to patients and families to enhance psychosocial functioning, spiritual, cultural, emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
• Interviews patients/family within 72 hours (or earlier if needed) of admission to determine the social psychological, financial, grief support, cultural, family and health need, to formulate a written assessment.
• Demonstrates timely physician notification of significant changes in patient’s condition, and other conditions requiring physician notification.
• Communicates pertinent data regarding patient status to appropriate health care professionals.
• Demonstrates proficiency in implementing physician’s orders without error. Confers with physician for clarification of order when necessary for accurate compliance.
• Develops a plan of intervention, based upon assessment, which addresses the patient’s physical and psychological problems, and in coordination with the recommendation of other health care disciplines involved in the patient’s plan of care.
• Participates in the interdisciplinary and independent patient care reviews, in-service training and research as appropriate.
• Demonstrates utilization of policy and procedure manuals to deliver care in an appropriate, efficient, and respectful manner.
• Consults and works with medical staff, nursing, and ancillary staff regarding functional status and needs of the patient.
• Collaborates across disciplines to assist in coordination of patient care, including but not limited to patient transfer, discharge, referrals, and spiritual/psychosocial support needs.
• Develops integrated/individualized behavioral health treatment goals as part of a comprehensive care plan.
• May conduct process groups or individual therapy depending upon program needs identified by Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) leadership.
• Provides accurate and timely documentation regarding complex biomedical and psychosocial issues.
• Manage Behavioral Health referrals and help provide navigation to patients and physicians to access appropriate behavioral healthcare services.
• Develops and implements efficient processes for referring patients and families to Federal, State, and County assistance programs.
• Provides ongoing education to Medical Servies Department and Physicians on locally available community resources and develops and maintains effective relationships with staff in key community resources agencies.
• Actively participates in team meetings and selected case conference to provide assistance in identifying and resolving biomedical and psychosocial needs of patients and families.
• Collaborate in discharge planning for a patient’s safe transition to home or another level of care in collaboration with the patient, family, and the health care delivery team.
• Trains and assists in the hiring of new LCSW or Social Workers.
• Sets workflow plans and adheres to priorities outlined by leadership.
• Supervises and maintains working knowledge of daily assignments/tasks for other employees and equipment, supplies, and machines needed.
• Ensures availability of supplies and equipment. Performs administrative duties for coordination and operations of social workers and participates in and assists in the development of clinical and research protocols.
• Reports problems concerning staffing requirements, work methods, staff morale, etc. Coordinates with personnel of other departments regarding patient and/or staff related problems.
• Serves as a resource for employees regarding all pertinent software applications.
• Develops integrated/individualized behavioral health treatment goals as part of a comprehensive care plan.
• May conduct process groups or individual therapy depending upon program needs identified by Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) leadership.
• Provides accurate and timely documentation regarding complex biomedical and psychosocial issues.
• Manage Behavioral Health referrals and help provide navigation to patients and physicians to access appropriate behavioral healthcare services.
• Develops integrated/individualized behavioral health treatment goals as part of a comprehensice care plan.
• May conduct process groups or individual therapy depending upon program needs identified by Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) Leadership.
• Provides accurate and timely documentation regarding complex biomedical and psychosocial issues.
• Manages Behavioral Health referrals and help provide navigation to patients and physicians to access appropriate behavioral healthcare services.
• Developes and implements efficient processes for referring patients and families to Federal, State, and County assistance programs.
• Provides ongoing education to Medical Services Department and Physician on locally available community resources and develops and maintains effective relationships with staff in key community resource agencies.
• Uses clear, concise, professional communication with coworkers, patients, all customers internal and external.
• Uses AIDET in interactions with patients and family members.
• Acts with a sense of urgency when performing tasks.
• Basic unit/department maintenance such as keeping files, drawers, cabinets free from unnecessary clutter.
• Reports on any equipment and or environmental issues for repair.
• Abides by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations.
• Speaks up to stop the line and escalates potential safety events if necessary.
• Completes and attends monthly training assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Standards:

• Treats everyone as their customer; utilizes scripting and other tools to ensure consistency in customer service; Expresses recognition and shows appreciation to others; fully utilizes AIDET principles; responds quickly to handle requests, complaints, and questions; displays a positive attitude.
• Demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, passion and care when interacting with patients, families, physicians, and hospital staff members.
• Using a lens of equity in all aspects of patient care delivery, education, and research to promote policies and practices to allow opportunities for all to thrive and reach their potential, embracing ingenuity to service our customers.

Communciation/Knowledge:

• Wears nametag properly; follows dress code policy; answers phone correctly and promptly; is prepared for meetings; meets deadlines; does not participate in gossip; acts ethically and treats others with respect; respects customer’s and co-worker’s time; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and co-workers.

Collaboration/Teamwork:

• Attends staff meetings; follows HIPAA guidelines; follows patient rights policy; complies with the compliance program; demonstrates knowledge of role in a disaster; demonstrates knowledge of fire and fire drill procedures; working knowledge of hospital emergency codes; always utilizes standard precautions in the clinical setting; safely manages the environment of care by demonstrating a working knowledge of the requirements of the: Life Safety program, Utilities Management program, Hazardous Materials program, Emergency Preparedness program, Safety Management program, Medical Equipment Management program, Security Management program.

Qualifications/Experience:

• LCSW: At least three (3) years’ experience as a Medical Social Worker in an acute psychiatric unit and at least one (1) years’ experience in a leadership role, within a healthcare setting is a plus.
• Critical thinking, service excellence and good interpersonal communication skills, ability to read/comprehend written instructions, strong organizational skills, ability to follow verbal instructions, and PC (computer) skills.
• A capacity to learn, synthesize, make critical judgments, work independently, place patients and families first, and collaborate with the team members who are recognized leaders within health care.

Equal Opportunity Employer


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