Social Worker BSW

Summary

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) plays a pivotal role in maintaining the quality of care patients receive during medical center hospitalization and post‑discharge. The BSW must have a high level of expertise and skill to create highly effective strategies for short‑term and long‑term goals in order to prevent readmissions and address unpredictable situations. The BSW must be proficient in planning, executing and monitoring effectiveness of the care provided to ensure timely transition through the continuum of care. This requires effective skills in conflict resolution, decision making and team building. The BSW practices in accordance with the social work Code of Ethics and care management process utilizing tools, standards, models, goals and objectives, and performance improvement concepts. The BSW provides pertinent clinical data to outside agencies as needed to assure compliance with their requirements and represents the organization professionally. The ability to analyze, evaluate and distribute resources and educational information to ensure understanding of services to all educational levels is key to the role. The BSW is responsible for assessing the patient’s psychosocial, spiritual needs, education and discharge planning needs.

Responsibilities

• (30%) Provide social work intervention as it relates to hospitalization including crisis management, health care decision making, illness adjustment, ethical/legal concerns, discharge planning, transitional care needs, child or elder abuse, domestic violence, competency, financial problems, compliance issues, substance abuse, mental illness and other psychosocial barriers to maximizing health status. Administer patient assessment and write evaluation report recommending treatment based on patient’s needs and functional level.
• (30%) Work with health care team, patient, family and/or significant others to continually transition the patient to the appropriate level/place of care. Advocate, mediate, and negotiate, with an emphasis on self‑determination for the patient system, to formulate a cohesive plan for maintaining the patient’s health status, improving social supports, and moving the patient safely into less restrictive, less costly levels of care according to available resources.
• (20%) Record patient psychosocial evaluations, group therapies, and progress notes in their respective charts. Collaborate with physician in competency/capacity determination, obtaining legal guardianship, involuntary psychiatric admission, adoptions, ethical concerns, etc. Complete and disseminate all necessary legal and clinical documentation as needed for resolution.
• (20%) Actively participate in the patient discharge planning process and assist in the patient’s discharge to home or other extended‑care facility placement. Involve family in the treatment and discharge planning process if agreed upon by the patient.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Complete and document a standard social work psychosocial and spiritual assessment to eliminate barriers to treatment and discharge, increase patient/family satisfaction, and improve appropriate utilization of resources.
• Select and schedule treatment activities consistent with the changing needs of the patient.
• Coordinate with other team members in the implementation of the treatment plan; communicate recommendations to other disciplines.
• Identify the need for and conduct family meetings, with or without the physician, which result in understanding, comfort, decision making, and other important outcomes, such as discharge.
• Integrate relevant theories of family dynamics, crisis intervention, strengths‑based, solution‑focused, and meaning of illness into everyday casework.
• Summarize a patient and family situation concisely, with helpful guidance to non‑social work staff members about recommendations for actions to be taken and barriers to discharge.
• Facilitate discharge planning for patients, i.e., extended care placements, other facility transfers, and home care arrangements in collaboration with the health care team.
• Actively participate in care coordination efforts to successfully identify high‑risk factors and respond appropriately so that key information, next steps and avoidable days are captured and documented. Be an active participant in the daily care coordination meetings.
• Accept accountability for the clinical outcomes that the Discharge Planning role can facilitate.
• Maintain timely, clear, and concise documentation in all required systems.
• Provide pertinent clinical data to designated outside agencies to assure compliance with their requirements.
• Assure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Build professional relationships with patients, families, facilities and resources to address conflict resolution with positive outcomes.
• Completely finish all documentation and data entry requirements. Identify high‑risk population and address opportunities for intervention.
• Willingly and consistently offer to help peers as needed.
• Be knowledgeable of the hospital’s computer system as it relates to the Social Services department and accessing patient‑related information.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to deal with confidential information tactfully and diplomatically.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement as required by the Medical Center and the job description.
• Understand and be accountable for the Medical Center’s customer service program.

Certifications and Licensures

• Credential: BSW – Bachelor of Social Work
• Equivalent Experience: Can be a limited license if MSW is available to supervise.
• Credential: Fingerprinting

Required Education

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree
• Equivalent Experience: Master’s degree preferred. LLBSW or LBSW required at time of hire. Limited‑License BSW employees must be actively working to obtain full licensure either as a LBSW or working toward their LMSW. These employees must pass licensing exam and complete 4,000 hours of supervised post‑degree social work by a LMSW. Certification in Case Management preferred. Recommended that the Case Manager receives their ACM certification after two years of experience.
• Education Specialization: SOCWRK

Other Information

• A minimum of two (2) years experience in a health‑care setting preferred. Training and experience, and/or demonstrated competency in casework principles, including diagnosis, assessment, crisis intervention, treatment and transition planning; techniques in individual, family and group therapy; awareness of community resources, public assistance and entitlement programs, ensuring transition to appropriate levels of care; and issues relating to age and stage of development, special needs and cultural patterns of the patient populations being served.
• Knowledge of medical social work practices, processes and procedures as normally acquired through three years experience working in a medical center (preferred), social agency or community organization dealing with physical and/or mental health and/or welfare.
• Interpersonal skills needed to communicate successfully with individuals and groups and interact with people at all levels to communicate ideas and concepts in a clear and understandable manner.
• Adherence to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
• MyMichigan Health is a technology‑driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows. An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.
• Membership in at least one professional organization (i.e., NASW, Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care (SSWLHC) MI Chapter, national SSWLHC, etc.) preferred.

Physical / Mental Requirements and Typical Working Conditions

• Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as trauma, grief and death.
• Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or an appropriate substitute if required for the position.
• Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description.
• Overall vision and hearing is necessary with or without assisted devices.
• Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching.
• Some exposure to blood‑borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Must follow MyMichigan Health blood‑borne pathogen and TB testing as required.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake.
• Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling. May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.
• Physical Demand Level: Light. Must be able to occasionally (0‑33% of the workday) lift or carry 11‑20 lbs, frequently (34‑66% of the workday) 10 lbs and/or walk/stand/push/pull of arm/leg controls.