Medical Social Worker

The Social Worker is responsible for providing for Social Services activities of the hospital. The social worker demonstrates competence in providing services to the following populations: geriatric, adult, adolescent, pediatrics, mother and infant/newborn. The social worker coordinates discharge planning with the assistance of Director of Case Management when necessary.

Essential Job Functions

Consults with physicians, nurses, and ancillary staff concerning patient discharge needs, prognosis, and services required to ensure continuity of care.

Interviews patients/families to provide a comprehensive psychosocial assessment to patients with complex psychosocial problems.

Implements and coordinates the discharge plan, as consulted, to allow for a smooth transition from the Hospital so there is little interruption of continued health care services.

Assists patients and families in arranging for home care services, including visiting nurses, home care, homemaker, and medical needs as appropriate.

• Arranges transportation as indicated to facilitate patient transfer.
• Makes referrals as appropriate to Adult or Child Protective Service for suspected abuse or neglect, to ensure that the safety and needs of the patient are being met.
• Assists the patient/family in obtaining additional medical coverage as appropriate for patient’s needs.

Prepares for and participates in regular discharge planning conferences on assigned nursing units for the purpose of updating discharge needs and establishing referrals. Identifies barriers affecting a safe and timely plan.

• Documents each Social Service intervention in the patient’s electronic medical record in a timely manner.
• In the absence of the case manager, will perform duties and responsibilities of Director, Case Management.

Ability to assess the appropriateness of the patient, physician, and staff requests for service and responds courteously and professionally.

Demonstrates the ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of patient needs appropriately for the age of the patients served.

Demonstrates appropriate knowledge of growth and development characteristics for the age of the patient served.

Keeps abreast of current federal and state regulations specific to Social Services. Is familiar with JCAHO Standards applicable to areas of responsibility.

• Ability to function autonomously and able to handle constant change.
• Ability to problem solve, is innovative, and think “big picture.”
• Ability to educate various healthcare professionals and customers
• Assists with MaineCare applications as appropriate.
• Assists with financial applications when appropriate.
• Serves as an advocate for patients and families.
• Acts as a liaison to post-hospital providers.
• Acts as a liaison with community resources and families.
• Ability to educate various healthcare professionals and customers.
• Confers with case manager/chief nursing officer for direction when needed.
• Complies with CEU requirements to maintain license.
• Rotating call for after hours, weekends, and holidays.

Seeks out needed information by staying informed and involved by attending meetings, reading memos, policies, meeting minutes, newsletters, email and other appropriate information in a timely manner.

Reliable attendance and punctuality, including observing appropriate break times and extending a scheduled shift when necessary to meet patient demands

• Performs duties in a safe manner, in compliance with all safety policies and procedures
• Complies with the Code of Conduct and all appropriate policies and procedures
• Other duties, as assigned, that are relevant to the position and department

Requirements

• Minimum Education
• Holds a current license in Social Work in the State of Maine
• High School Diploma
• Minimum Work Experience
• Preferred three years of experience in hospital social work

Required Skills

Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, excellent psychosocial assessment skills with the ability to interpret key information, basic computer skills to include Micrsoft Work and Microsoft Excel.

Working knowledge of medical terminology, knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid rules and regulations, knowledge of community resources and availability to patients/families and eligibility guidelines.

Ability to prioritize tasks and manager time effectively due to involvement with multiple patients/families, projects, and outside agencies. Ability to work independently, interfacing with other department and outside agencies.

• Ability to function autonomously and able to handle constant change.
• Ability to problem solve, is innovative, and thinks "big picture."
• Ability to educate various healthcare professionals and customers.