Social Worker I - Emergency Department Midnight Shift Contingent - West Bloomfield

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Social Worker l is responsible for creating outcomes for the patient and family by managing complex psychosocial and economic co-morbidities. Provide education and consultation regarding resources, collaborate to develop a discharge plan and facilitate and monitor its implementation. Assist patient/family adjust to and cope with illness, diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis. Through advanced practice skills mobilizes resources to reduce risk, serves as a liaison between the hospital and the community. In addition offers crisis interventions to patient/family.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Psychosocial Assessment and Interventions

• On the basis of preliminary risk screening, assesses patients and family’s psychosocial risk factors through evaluation of prior functioning levels, appropriateness and adequacy of support systems, reaction to illness and ability to cope.
• Appropriately documents in ECIN or medical record those patients identified as high risk for readmission.
• Intervenes with patients and families regarding emotional, social, and financial consequences of illness and/or disability; accesses and mobilizes family/community resources to meet identified needs.
• Provides intervention in cases involving child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, elderly abuse, institutional abuse and sexual assault.
• Serves as a resource person and provides counseling and intervention related to treatment decisions and end-of-life issues.

2. Complex Discharge Planning

• Participates in discharge planning activities for complex patients, in order to ensure a timely discharge and to provide appropriate linkage with post-discharge care providers.
• Deals with families exhibiting complex family dynamics that impact directly on patient care and discharge.
• Communicates with the healthcare team regarding the discharge planning status of all patients referred by them.
• Assists RN Case Managers or appropriate team members with discharge planning activities as requested.
• Provides consultation to RN Case Managers or appropriate team member when coordination with significant or intensive community resources is necessary to achieve desired treatment outcomes.
• Receives referrals for complex patient problem resolution from RN Case Managers or care team members.
• Screens and coordinates referrals to the next level of care i.e.: SNF, LTAC, HHC, Hospice and Rehab. Validates discharge criteria for patient and families and notifies RN Case Managers or appropriate team member of newly-identified resources or change in previously-identified resources.
• Educates patient/family and physician regarding post-acute options and addresses issues of choice.
• Identifies the need for and conducts family meetings that result in informed decisions and other outcomes.

3. Patient and Family Support in Legally Complex Cases

• Provides intervention in child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, guardianship (temporary/ permanent), foster care, adoption, mental health placement, advance directives, adult/elderly abuse, child protection and sexual assault.

4. Ensures safe care to patients adhering to policies, procedures, and standards, within budgetary specifications, including time management, supply management, productivity, and accuracy of practice.

5. Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education, skills competency, supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization.

6. Advocates for patient and family empowerment and independence to make autonomous health care decisions and access needed services within the health care system.

7. Participates in care conferences and collaborative rounds.

8. Actively participates in clinical performance improvement activities as assigned.

9. May provide supervision of Social Worker Interns, MSWs with less than 4,000 hours of hospital experience, ensuring requirements mandated by the State of Michigan. Provides mentorship to all levels of social work in current social trends and practice.