Medical Social Worker

Job Title

Provides patients and caregivers with psychosocial and therapeutic support, while under provisional supervision, as it relates to overall health, wellbeing, and safety. Care may be provided through longitudinal case management or encounter specific support to promote positive health outcomes and reduce barriers to care. Services include supportive counseling to caregivers, providing patient support, and making referrals to services and resources based on assessment. Develops and maintains professional relationships with patients, caregivers, and team members to ensure a team-based approach and effective continuum of care for the patient.

Essential Functions

• Under provisional supervision, conducts assessments which may include psychosocial, mental health, safety, transplant, needs assessments, etc. Screens patients and caregivers in assigned areas focusing on new diagnosis of chronic illness, patients with complex medical needs, complex social needs, and/or safety concerns. Establishes professional working relationships with patients, caregivers, and team members. Collaborates with and facilitates multidisciplinary team discussions to understand the medical, emotional, and safety needs of the patients and caregivers and advocate for care plans that consider all aspects of family functioning. Formulates patient goals and monitors the progression of the plan of care utilizing strength based interventions. Assesses high risk families and provide intervention focusing on the safety and mental health of the patient/caregivers and collaborates and communicates with the team to ensure a safe environment.
• Provides referrals for patient and caregiver needs. Gathers information from patients/caregivers regarding family functioning, strengths, and barriers to include Social Drivers of Health (SDOH).
• Shares related resources with patients/caregivers to address identified needs and advocates for access to identified resources. Maintains knowledge of community resources.
• Under provisional supervision, provides crisis/supportive counseling and coaching to patients and caregivers. Supports patients/caregivers by assisting with understanding child development, well-child needs, problem-solving, adjustment to illness, and management of long-term illness while identifying, enhancing, and utilizing their positive coping strategies. Provides interventions which reflect knowledge of how health and disease impacts social well-being. Provides crisis intervention, de-escalation strategies in alignment with safety and wellbeing initiatives. Responds to positive screenings related to mental health by providing risk assessments, initial interventions, resources, education, and referrals for ongoing treatment and support.
• Provides assessment and coordination of child abuse/neglect cases. Assesses safety and risk for identified patient based current circumstances, family dynamics, and provider concerns. Communicates with team regarding assessment and recommendations. Facilitates Child Protective Services/Law Enforcement (CPS/LE) reporting and provides ongoing communication with CPS, LE, and county attorney's office, as needed. Collaborates with Child Advocacy Team (CAT) and prepares/presents cases at CAT meetings, as needed.
• Under provisional supervision, shares responsibility for 24-hour hospital Social Work coverage by covering on-call and in-house shifts as needed. Responds to Social Work requests/consults within expected timeframes. Reports in-house when the situation warrants or is requested by the Provider. Maintains a flexible schedule and demonstrates willingness to adjust availability to meet patient and hospital needs.
• Provides consultation/interventions regarding legal issues. Consults with Compliance Officer/Legal Counsel as necessary and maintains chart record to reflect legal circumstances of patient/caregivers. Provides consultation related to State Wards as needed to support continuity of care. Coordinates with HIM to assist with legal documents being scanned to the record.
• Provides support to Social Work team members and promotes a positive work culture. Assists with onboarding and training of new team members as directed by leadership. Supports Social Work student program through education/task supervision, shadowing, and/or leading a research project. Covers for Social Work colleagues in their absence, and arranges for coverage of social work responsibilities when absent. Attends provisional supervision weekly in compliance with licensure expectations. Communicates with co-workers regarding coverage needs. Maintains appropriate outlook calendars in order to facilitate communication related to time off and coverage.
• Regular attendance at work is an essential function of the job.
• The in-patient or SPC social workers may be required to participate in Transplant program functions, Social Work role includes: Pre and Post-transplant psychosocial assessment of patients and families Present psychosocial information to the selection committee Provide transplant program patients and families specific resource information Confirm resources and discharge plans with team and patients/families
• Appropriately documents in chart within expected timeframes.
• Provides recommendations and warm hand-offs to involved team members.

Education Qualifications

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work required

Experience Qualifications

• 1-3 years of supervised experience as a Social Worker in a clinical setting preferred
• Medical Social Work experience preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Requires knowledge of human behavior, social problems, counseling modalities, and community resources. (Medium proficiency)
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form, relaying case information to patients/families, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, attorneys and law enforcement as needed. (High proficiency)

Licenses and Certifications

• Current Provisional Master Social Worker in the state of Nebraska Upon Hire Required and
• Current Provisional Mental Health Practitioner in the state of Nebraska Upon Hire Required
• A valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle record/driving record Upon Hire Required

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