LVAD Program Social Worker - EJGH

Job Overview Your job is more than a job. You’re a life preserver for countless patients because, as a Social Worker, you’re the hub of your patients’ multidisciplinary team advocating, assessing, counseling, and supporting individual psychosocial needs and discharge planning resources for complex medical problems. As your patient’s clinical care partner with expertise in care management, you’re a critical asset along the care journey identifying and overcoming barriers and offering resource options, in particular for chronically ill and end‑of‑life care. Through it all, you remain positive, upbeat and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes. In the midst of emotional and physical pain and vulnerability, you’re a sanctuary of support and understanding as you celebrate the small victories. Responsibilities Conduct assessment of patients’ psychosocial needs through intensive interviewing of patients and family members, conferring with the interdisciplinary team, and reviewing medical records. Evaluate coping skills, cognitive and intellectual functioning, support systems, resources, and other factors that could affect responses to illness, treatment and discharge planning. Identify barriers and develop plans for intervention to overcome or lessen barriers to achieve the outcomes as evidenced by the treatment plan. Communicate findings and plans to the interdisciplinary team and document assessment, plan, and interventions in medical records. Provide crisis intervention and supportive counseling for individuals experiencing temporary or situational problems. Assess cases of suspected elder, child, sexual or domestic abuse or neglect and comply with required reporting according to state law and hospital policy. Refer patients and families to appropriate community agencies for further intervention or counseling such as palliative or hospice services as needed, and facilitate family meetings to aid decision‑making in cases of disagreement or lack of clarity around goals of care. Facilitate interactions between staff and DCFS/EPS or other agencies. Identify patients in the assigned caseload with complex social and medical issues through case‑finding and referral processes. Review caseload with the manager to share findings, needs, barriers, and progress toward discharge. Evaluate financial assistance needs and eligibility, and direct patients/families to appropriate community agencies that can help meet financial needs or provide food, shelter, transportation, or other services. Maintain a working knowledge of payor reimbursement requirements for post‑hospital services and community resources. Demonstrate knowledge of legal rights, advance directives, and patient rights, and counsel/educate patients and families regarding decision‑making and formulating advance directives. Conduct psychosocial evaluation of potential LVAD patients, including identifying social support, compliance, mental health, coping skills, substance misuse/abuse, legal issues, understanding of the MCS process, motivation, communication, learning style, and body image concerns. Enhance the effective functioning and well‑being of the VAD patient and their families by collaborating with multidisciplinary members of the circulatory clinical team through daily patient care, publishing, education, and advocacy. Host support groups for patients and caregivers (contingent on the individual program practice) and offer mental health support and referrals to community mental health services as needed. Support caregivers in addition to patients, acknowledging their vital role in the success of the patient. Explore the potential impacts of behavioral patterns and Social Determinants of Health on a patient’s adherence to medical management or potential misalignment of goals. Utilize mental‑health modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems Theory, Strengths‑Based Approach, Solution‑Focused Interventions, and Grief Counseling. Assist patients and families throughout the end‑of‑life phase of care both logistically and emotionally by collaborating with Palliative Care teams and facilitating family support within the heart‑failure team. Qualifications Licensed Master Social Worker through the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners. Work Shift Days (United States of America) Equal Opportunity Statement LCMC Health is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Legal Notice The above job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. LCMC Health reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. #J-18808-Ljbffr