Discharge Planner - Medical Social Worker

• Division: Eskenazi Health
• Sub-Division: Hospital
• Schedule: Full Time
• Shift: Days

Eskenazi Health serves as the public hospital division of the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County. Physicians provide a comprehensive range of primary and specialty care services at the 333-bed hospital and outpatient facilities both on and off of the Eskenazi Health downtown campus including at a network of Eskenazi Health Center sites located throughout Indianapolis.

FLSA Status: ExemptJob Role Summary

The Discharge Planner - Medical Social Worker is responsible for providing comprehensive social services which assist patients, clients and their families to find practical ways of overcoming social, emotional and environmental barriers to optimum functioning and attainment of health. The Discharge Planner - Medical Social Worker alters activities/behaviors to reflect and ensure adequate care and services appropriate to the age of patients served (i. e. neonatal, infant, pediatric, pre-school, school age, adolescent, adult, geriatric).

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Interviews hospital patients and their families during the course of an inpatient or observation admissionResponsible for managing assignment of specified unit or clinic, ensuring that 100% of patients with an identified need have been assessed and evaluatedInitiates social service plans for patients/clients through professional collaboration with medical, nursing and health care personnel utilizing screening questionnaires, diagnostic assessments and individualized therapeutic care plans

• Coordinates the overall interdisciplinary plan of care for a patient from admission to dischargeServes as a liaison between patient/family and healthcare personnel to ensure necessary care is provided promptly and effectively
• Coordinates discharge plans to meet the patients social and emotional needs to ensure a safe and effective discharge
• Assists patients and families in understanding the implications and complexities of their medical situation and its impact on their current lifestyle
• Provides direction in the selection, analysis, summarization and presentation of patient/client and related information for service delivery planning, case conferences and professional consultation
• Provides complex social service intervention to individuals, families and groups ranging from diagnostic assessment, short term counseling, crisis intervention, community resource referrals, client advocacy, support, outreach, follow-up and intra/inter agency consultations
• Provides education and training to introduce or improve coping skills of individuals and families
• Documents services rendered in clinical recordsResponsible for following the required assessment format to ensure all elements for effective discharging have been met with the ultimate goal of reducing readmissionsResponsible for partnering with the multidisciplinary team to ensure financial resources have been assessed and a determination made to ensure there are limited placement barriers post discharge
• Conducts social service orientation for physician, nurses, and students as appropriate
• Utilizes problem-solving skills to identity and facilitate problem resolution in team functioningParticipates in staff meetings and education programs for staff and community agencies as assignedAssumes responsibility for continuous professional self-developmentAlters activities/behaviors to reflect/ensure adequate care appropriate to the age of patients served (i. e. adolescent, geriatric, pediatric, neo-natal, adult) described in the area/unit age-specific and/or job specific competencies
• Collaborates with multi-disciplinary team members to facilitate the coordination and deliver) of services that assures appropriate treatment plans and continuity of careInitiates advocacy/liaison role for patients/clients in referrals to and from community agencies: collaborates with agency and hospital personnel in referral activities: cultivates referral resourcesInterprets impact on client functioning of environmental conditions and family interactions through home visits and outpatient encountersJob Requirements

Minimum of a Master's of Social Service or related field degree including but not limited to a MSWActive licensure as a Social Worker or Clinical Social WorkerSocial service experience in a healthcare setting dealing with pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients is preferred

• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Effective Communication Skills

• Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of growth and development principles over the life span and possess the ability to assess data/interpret appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to age-specific needs. Ability to use age appropriate communication and skills detailed in the department/area/unit job specific/age specific competenciesAnalytical, psychosocial assessment and counseling skills
• Knowledge of pertinent State/Federal laws and regulations, community systems and resources
• Ability to work cooperatively with multi-discipline teams in situations requiring a high degree of flexibility, creativity, initiative
• Ability to apply social service techniques/principles including evaluation, intervention, and case management
• Ability to perform duties independently under the direction of specified supervisor
• Ability to recognize own limitations and seek assistance from appropriate resources as needed

Accredited by The Joint Commission and named as one of Indiana’s best employers by Forbes magazine for two consecutive years and the top hospital in the state for community benefit by the Lown Institute, Eskenazi Health’s programs have received national recognition while also offering new health care opportunities to the local community. As the sponsoring hospital for Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services, the city’s primary EMS provider, Eskenazi Health is also home to the first adult Level I trauma center in Indiana, the first verified adult burn center in Indiana and Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center, the first community mental health center in Indiana, just to name a few.