Case Management Social Worker (FT- 1 FTE)

Pediatric Social Worker

Position Summary :

The Case Management Social Worker I intervenes with patients who have complex psychosocial needs and require assistance with eligibility determination for social programs and funding sources and qualify for community assistance from a variety of special funds and agencies.

Participates in the development of a discharge plan of care for high-risk patient populations. Receives referrals for individuals from at-risk populations from interdisciplinary team members (including physicians, Case Managers, staff nurses and other members of the care team).

Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development as it relates to the different life cycles.

All age groups are served by this position.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or Psychology
• One year of experience in hospital social work or protective services
• Working knowledge / experience in utilization management, managed care, and payor issues

Essential Job Functions :

• 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.
• 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.
• Advocates for patient and family empowerment and independence to make autonomous health care decisions and access needed services within the health care system.
• 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 and deals with families exhibiting complex family dynamics that impact directly on patient care and discharge.
• Communicates with care coordinators regarding the discharge planning status of all patients referred by them.
• Assists Case Managers with discharge planning activities as requested and provides consultation to Case Managers when coordination with significant or intensive community resources is necessary to achieve desired treatment outcomes.
• Screens and coordinates all new SNF and Rehab facility referrals. Referrals will be made to the SNF for determination of bed availability both in and out of local area.

Informs Department regarding trends and issues related to SNF and Rehab facility quality of care. When necessary, makes recommendations regarding facilities to be removed from the hospital’s referral resources catalogue.

• Validates discharge criteria for patient and families and notifies Case Managers of newly-identified resources or change in previously-identified resources.
• Educates patient / family and physician regarding post-acute options and addresses issues of choice.
• 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.
• Stroke Competency : Complies with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and guidelines related to care for patients with hyper acute and acute stroke.

Participates in one stroke awareness / recognition activity annually.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates sound judgement, patience, and maintains a professional demeanor at all times
• Ability to work in a busy and stressful environment
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Creativity, problem analysis and decision making
• Exercises tact, discretion, sensitivity and maintains confidentiality
• Detail oriented, organizational skills and the ability to prioritize
• Standard office equipment and computer applications; MS Office, EMR, internet applications etc.
• Ability to work varied shifts

77346680 Case Management