Medical Social Worker

Job Summary:

The Medical Social Worker III provides assessments, coordination, and implementation/ evaluation of professional social services to patients and their families in order to aid them in coping with social, emotional, and economic difficulties related to medical problems or which predispose to illness.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities, and applicable state, federal and local laws.

QUALITY OF CLINICAL SERVICES:

• The Medical Social Worker III provides quality services by assessing patient/family system needs then developing and implementing treatment plans in accordance with departmental and medical center policies.
• Quality of clinical services is indicated by QM findings, documentation review, case presentations, staff and patient feedback and supervisory discussions.
• Performs a bio-psychosocial assessment interview with patient, family, and/or significant other according to department policy and standards.
• Provides appropriate crisis intervention/treatment to adults, children and families in emergent situations including assessment, counseling, information/referral and providing consultation to physicians and healthcare team.
• Provides a professional interpretation of patients condition (i.e., situation, affect, behavior and verbal content) and recommends appropriate psycho-social intervention(s) and/or treatment plan.
• Develops culturally sensitive assessment that reflects department standards and includes: reason for referral; source of referral; informant name; physical/medical issues; interpersonal and social relations; emotional/psychiatric/adjustment; issues including depression; role performance/social transition; community planning/resources/social transition; legal/protective issues (as indicated).
• Provides appropriate counseling services to patient and/or family based on clinical assessment and consistent with patients on-going medical condition/needs.
• Performs relevant patient and family advocacy services within KP and the community.
• Provides patient education on subjects related to psycho-social adjustments to medical illness, individually, in classes or groups.
• The Medical Social Worker III takes responsibility for implementation of social work knowledge and values, standards of practice and enhancement of professional skills as demonstrated by documentation reviews, case presentations, staff and patient feedback, supervisory discussions, and attendance at conferences/classes.
• Assessment demonstrates ability to interpret the social, emotional and behavioral problems/elements as they related to patients medical condition and treatment.
• Knowledge of availability of KP and community resources consistent with treatment goals.
• Utilizes professional knowledge in facilitating staff and other meetings.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and observes department policies and procedures.
• Utilizes formal and informal education opportunities to increase professional knowledge base as demonstrated by attendance at appropriate and approved programs/workshops/ in-services/etc.
• Demonstrates the integration of clinical social work theory into practice by appropriately utilizing clinical knowledge of bio-psychosocial development stages, personality development, human behavior, etc., to formulate assessment, direct treatment, and provide consultation and education to other team members.

NEONATES:

• Substance Abuse, Parent/Infant Bonding, Family Relationships, Safety, Developmental Milestones, Parental Coping/Acceptance, Birth/death.

PEDIATRICS:

• Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting, Substance Abuse, Safety, Legal, Parent/Guardian/Child Relationships, Developmental Milestones, Family Relationships, Peer Group, School/Academic Performance.

ADOLESCENT:

• Abuse/Neglect Reporting, Substance Abuse, Developmental Milestones, Family Relationships, Peer Group Relationships, Sexuality, Education.

ADULT:

• Abuse/Neglect Reporting, Substance Abuse, Adequacy of Self-Care, Developmental Milestones, Sexuality, Family Responsibilities.

GERIATRIC:

• Elder Abuse/Neglect Reporting, Substance Abuse, Adequacy Of Self Care, Support System, Developmental Milestones, Mental Status/Competency, Mortality.

EOL (End of Life Option):

• Regulatory data reporting, process coordination, assist Members/Physicians with California End of Life Option Act.
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and the level of work being performed by the individuals assigned to this position and as such are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

INTERDICIPLINARY FUNCTIONS:

• Functions as an effective team member, consultant, and liaison to medical, nursing, ancillary staff, and to community agencies.
• This is measured by staff feedback, observation by supervisor, QM evaluations, and written communications.
• Demonstrates an interdisciplinary approach, competent follow-up and communication of accurate information to team members.
• Assumes responsibility for patient, staff and system problems as indicated by requests for involvement.
• Demonstrates awareness of the Departments mission, scope and vision in the context of the Medical Centers structure.
• As measured by established standards, maintains good rapport with:
• Peers and colleagues.
• Community.
• Physicians.
• Other health care team members.
• Educates physicians and staff regarding the role of the social worker and the importance of addressing bio-psychosocial issues for quality patient care and services.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT:

• Demonstrates professional behavior and interventions are consistent with departmental policies and procedures, JCAHO, Title22, and NCQA legal mandates, professional standards, NASW, ABECSW, and other Medical Center Guidelines.
• Utilizes supervision and consultation appropriately as indicated by regular attendance at supervisory/consultation sessions, identifying and discussing problem cases/situation with supervisor and seeking consultation with peers.
• Contributes and shares community resource with colleagues.
• Represents the Department in appropriate medical center and/or community committees.
• Identifies improvement opportunities for the department or work area and communicates ideas to supervisor.
• Participates in Quality Management activities based on member needs, organizational goals, and professional standards.
• Identifies and participates in the solution to system problems.
• Attends and occasionally facilitates staff/education meetings.
• Avoids unscheduled absences, arrives at work at scheduled times and takes action to avoid recurring absences.
• Plans and submits elected time off in advance.
• Exhibits standards of professional behavior in compliance with Regional Quality of Service Guidelines.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding patient and/or family issues in accordance with the Medical Center policy and professionals standards.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and complies with Fire & Safety, Disaster, Universal Precautions and Infectious Disease policy and procedures.
• Works in a self-directed manner as demonstrated by requesting assistance when clinical case or situation is beyond experience or abilities.
• May provide mentorship and/or clinical supervision for SW II, new worker or graduate student.

PRODUCTIVITY:

• Maintains patient access, and meets established standards for effectiveness and efficiency.
• Prioritizes, plans, and organizes workload need within assigned hours.
• Case finds and screens high-risk patients according to Department protocol.
• Spends at least 70% of time in direct service activity.
• Responds to referrals with departmentally delineated time frames.
• Completes and submits statistics in accordance with Departmental policies and procedures.
• Documents interventions in appropriate formats, legibly and within department time frames.

Disclaimer:

• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and the level of work being performed by the individuals assigned to this position and as such are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Basic Qualifications:

Experience

• Minimum One (1) year experience working as a MSW in medical acute care setting or as part of a medical team. MSW Internships will be considered as part of experience.
• Medical Social Worker - End of Life Option: If position posted is for an End of Life role, experience requirement is: Minimum one (1) year of experience, within the last three (3) years, working as a MSW in end of life care and counseling.

Education

• Masters Degree in Social Work issued by a school accredited by the Counsel of Social Work Education.

License, Certification, Registration

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (California)
  
  

Additional Requirements:

• Following language applies to End of Life Option positions only:
• Current CA Drivers License, clear driving record for the past two (2) years and proof of automobile insurance as required by law.
• Following language applies to Home Health, Hospice and Palliative positions only.
• Current CA Drivers License, clear driving record for the past two (2) years and proof of automobile insurance as required by law.
• One (1) year post masters experience in Medical Social Work required.
• BLS card required

Preferred Qualifications:

• ED/hospital experience preferred.

Notes:

• Night shift, Thursday and Friday (midnight-830am); and every other Wednesday (midnight-8:30am)