SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT

The Social Work Assistant is responsible for providing case management and discharge planning services. This professional is a key member of the Case Management treatment team and is an active member in the inpatient unit’s multidisciplinary daily meeting.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively participates in the inpatient multidisciplinary daily meeting and treatment team meetings as assigned by Social Work
• Interacts with treatment team, patients, families, and community agencies in supporting and developing individualized discharge plans.
• Obtain consent forms from patients for authorization to disclose protected health information (PHI) to family/caregivers, community case managers, housing providers and health and mental health providers including primary care.
• Supports inpatient and Emergency department in making outreach call/collateral calls to family/caregivers and CBO’s (Community Based Organization) /providers to ensure collaborative discharge planning; send referral packets and schedule appointments for aftercare
• Maintain required documentation of discharge planning activities.
• Complete SPOA (Single-Point of Access) applications, follow up on the status of submitted SPOA applications, and assist in the completion of state hospital, ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Team and AOT (Assisted Outpatient Treatment) applications
• Use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, email and other software applications to perform work assignments and type a minimum of 50 WPM.
• Access PHI in accordance with department assignments and guidelines defining levels of access.
• Send discharge paperwork to providers.
• Participate in DSRIP (Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program) and Committee projects aligned with Department and Hospital goals
• Contribute in staff meetings, case conferences, case presentations and training activities
• Assist Social Workers/Mental Health Counselors and Social Work Discharge Planner as needed
• Receive and securely distribute ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Team and AOT rosters.
• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with patients, care givers and treatment team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in Acute Behavioral Health clinical specialty, preferred. 
• Experience with discharge planning preferred.

EDUCATION:  

• Baccalaureate Degree preferred

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:  

• N/A

OTHER: 

• If applicable, the individual performing this job may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.
• Must have excellent communication skills. 
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment and manage a high caseload
• Ability to manage high volume of data and successfully negotiate with the interdisciplinary staff and external agencies.

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