Social Worker-Social Services

As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the BSW Social Worker contributes professional social work knowledge and skills in the provision of services that support patient and family access to health care and address psychosocial factors that influence a patient’s health.

The Social Worker maintains a patient/family-based practice providing age-appropriate assessments, advocacy, crisis intervention, discharge planning, care coordination, education, resource networking and consultation within their area of professional expertise.

The Social Worker facilitates education and problem-solving in areas such as self-determination, advance care planning, adjustment to illness and acute/traumatic crises and complex care coordination to support successful transitions of care.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:

Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.

Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.

Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Patient Care Coordination

Identifies patient needs by assessing psychosocial, environmental, financial and cultural strengths and barriers and collaborates with UPH, community services, and facilities to support patient safety and continuity of care as applicable.

As a member of the interdisciplinary team, contributes to the comprehensive episodic and/or longitudinal plan of care based on patient-centric goals and coping strategies.

Maintains comprehensive knowledge of community resources and acts as a liaison to refer patients/families to health and social services, health insurance, public assistance and other resources to meet patient identified needs.

Educates patient/family regarding Advanced Directives and facilitates/documents advanced care planning conversations with patients/surrogate decision makers.

Completes PASRR or other screening tools when appropriate for transition to another care provider.

Documents assessments, interventions, and referrals in the electronic health record according to documentation standards.

If working in a hospital setting, coordinates discharge planning to optimize clinical outcomes for patients based on available resources by formulating and implementing a discharge plan with patient and family in collaboration with internal and external providers, agencies, and payor sources.

If working in a hospital setting, facilitates and/or participates in interdisciplinary care rounds to support patient throughput and appropriate length of stay.

Education and Advocacy

Serves as a patient/family advocate in support of patient confidentiality, informed consent, patient autonomy, and self-determination.

Assesses patient safety to identify possible abuse, neglect or other risks to safety. Collaborates with the care team to address safety issues and files abuse/neglect reports to the appropriate state agency and/or guides others in the process as mandated.

• Provides information and support with guardianship and conservatorship issues.
• Supports culturally competent services and assists with arranging interpreter services as needed.

Provides education to the patient/family regarding available services and supports and assists the patient to access those they are eligible for.

Provides information and education to providers and other team members in understanding the psychosocial implications of illness and disease progression for the patient/family.

Educates professionals within the healthcare setting about issues related to psychosocial functioning and case management activities.

Participates in mentoring new team members and/or supervising social work students as applicable.

Quality

• Supports initiatives to reduce disparities to advance healthcare equity strategy.
• Participates in evaluation of standardization in documentation to ensure consistency in care delivery.

Participates in quality improvement projects including but not limited to patient experience, unnecessary healthcare utilization, length of stay, mortality, and readmission risk reduction as relevant to the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work.
• 2 years relevant social work experience in a healthcare setting or similar.
• Iowa Licensed Bachelor Social Worker

Awareness and Sensitivity to Cultural Diversity

• Knowledge of the physiological and psychological elements of illness and impact on psychosocial functioning
• Knowledge of the healthcare system and resources available to patients.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as a collaborative team member
• Knowledge of social determinants of Health

Strong Verbal and Written Communication Skills

Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.

Work may require travel within the market. Valid licensed driver with automobile insurance in accordance with state and/or organizational requirements.

Strong verbal and written communication skills