Medical Social Worker, Columbus & Bladen County

The Medical Social Worker in Home Health works under the supervision of a Clinical Manager, provides individualized patient care for patients in all developmental stages throughout the life span including : Adult - 18-72 years, Geriatric - 72 + years, according to established policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Participates in professional responsibilities such as program development, student programs and performance improvement programs.

Provides patient consultation and assumes a communicative role with other professionals.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES

1. Assesses, interprets, plans, implements and evaluates the social and emotional factors related to the patient’s illness.

2. Provides goal oriented therapy directed toward the management of illness, strengthening the family’s support and resolving conflicts as part of a multidisciplinary team.

3. Appropriately communicates information in accordance with agency policies and procedures and discipline specific guidelines.

4. Contributes to program effectiveness.

5. Organizes and performs work effectively and efficiently.

6. Maintains and adjusts schedule to enhance agency performance.

7. Demonstrates a daily commitment to the values of the agency.

8. Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations in dealing with all members of the agency.

9. Maintains and promotes customer satisfaction.

10. Effectively demonstrates the mission, vision, and values of the Agency on a

daily basis.

1.0 40% QUALITY OF WORK :

1.1 10%

Assesses, interprets, plans, implements and evaluates the social and emotional factors related to the patient’s illness as evidenced by :

• Using professional assessment and interview techniques to secure data for evaluation of the patient’s emotional and psychosocial needs based on clinical assessment appropriate for the patient’s age and developmental stage.
• Providing and / or facilitating education according to the Plan of Care and within the level of understanding and developmental age for both the patient and his / her family.
• Providing developmental interventions appropriate to patient’s age and clinical status.
• Describes and prioritizes actual or potential problems which are relevant to the needs of the patient.
• Identifies and describes realistic interventions to resolve or alleviate problems / needs and implements interventions consistent with an individualized plan of care in accordance with discipline standards, evaluates the patient’s progress toward achieving treatment goals and discharges patient’s appropriately in accordance with department guidelines.
• Educates patients and their families regarding available resources and empowers them to negotiate systems for ongoing services.

Makes appropriate community resource referrals.

1.2 10%

Provides goal oriented therapy directed toward the management of illness, strengthening the family’s support and resolving conflicts as part of a multidisciplinary team as evidenced by :

• Counsels the patient and / or caregiver(s) to cope with the medical condition and response to treatment.
• Provides goal oriented therapy directed toward the management of illness, strengthening family support and conflict resolution.
• Provides crises intervention to reduce the risk of abuse and / or neglect. Ensures adequate food, housing and a temperate environment.
• Provides psychotherapy and other counseling within limitations of discipline specific standards of practice. Monitors patient / family responses during treatment sessions and responds with appropriate counseling techniques or referral to appropriate mental health services.
• Supervises social work assistant(s) to perform assessments and provide counseling to meet the needs of the patient and family according to an established plan of care.
• Manages the social work needs of home health patients as referred by other disciplines. Utilizes skills of social work assistant(s) appropriately so that social work services are an active element of the multidisciplinary team process.

1.3 10%

Appropriately communicates information in accordance with agency policies and procedures and discipline specific guidelines as evidenced by :

• Completes all forms and orders accurately and in accordance with agency guidelines and policies.
• Attends interdisciplinary team meetings in accordance with agency policy. Conferences with other staff regarding status of shared patients as needed to promote service coordination.
• Appropriately informs the physicians and other involved department staff of any adverse changes in the patient’s condition, safety issues, changes in plan of care and discharge plans.
• Informs clinical team leader and primary care manager of any potential or actual patient concerns, risk management issues and referrals to Child / Adult Protective Services 100% of the time.
• Maintains written caseload and keeps clinical manager informed of patient needs and status. Updates patient census appropriately.
• Reviews work of social work assistant(s) and instructs in methods to provide appropriate interventions.

1.4 10%

Contributes to program effectiveness as evidenced by :

• Acts as a resource and maintains expertise in social work theory and practice. Demonstrates professional development by maintaining current certifications.
• Incorporating recommendations and goals of other disciplines and the patient and family in social work interventions and / or visits.
• Demonstrating willingness and ability to accommodate agency needs in order to provide optimum patient care.
• Accepting constructive criticism as evidenced by implementation of suggested actions for improved performance.
• Promoting change and being proactive in suggesting ideas and new ways of doing things.
• Demonstrating ability to prioritize and enhance services during fluctuating patient census.

2.0 20% PRODUCTIVITY / USE OF TIME :

2.1 10%

Organizes and performs work effectively and efficiently as evidenced by :

• Participating in continuous performance improvement and completing all required educational programs for the Agency and profession.
• Recognizing and performing duties in an independent manner.
• Accepting personal responsibility for the completion and quality of work outcomes.
• Meeting assigned deadlines.
• Meeting productivity expectations.
• Maintaining a clean and safe environment.

2.2 10%

Maintains and adjusts schedule to enhance team performance as evidenced by :

• Reporting to work on time and returning promptly from errands, breaks, and meals.
• Managing personal work schedule and time off to promote smooth agency operations.
• Assisting other team members to ensure completion of all work assignments.
• Demonstrating flexibility with changing workload / assignments.

3.0 25% TEAM WORK : 3.1 15%

3.1 15%

Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations in dealing with all members of the team (i.e. co-workers, supervisors, physicians, etc.) as evidenced by :

• Communicating in a positive and productive manner.
• Demonstrating respect for team members.
• Managing stress and personal feelings without a negative impact on the team.
• Maintaining positive attitude about assignments and team members.
• Promoting professional / personal growth of co-workers by sharing knowledge and resources.
• Working collaboratively and cooperating with other employees of the agency.

4.0 15% MISSION, VISION, VALUES :

4.1 15%

Continuously and effectively demonstrates customer service standards of courtesy, efficiency, and presentation as evidenced by :

• Responding to all customers in a courteous, sensitive and respectful manner.
• Abiding by the confidentiality and ethics policies of Well Care Home Health.
• Participates in community outreach activities that promotes goals and objectives of the agency.
• Completing review period without disciplinary action.
• Performing his / her job in accordance with documented procedures established to maintain the safety and health of patients, employees, and visitors and demonstrates compliance in the proper wearing and use of protective clothing and equipment to conform to the OSHA Blood Borne Pathogen Standard and also reports any exposure to the appropriate Manager in a timely manner.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

1. Education : Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited school of social work.

2. Licensure / Certifications : Certified (licensed) or the ability to be certified as a Clinical Social Worker by the State Certification Board for Social Work.

3. Experience : One year of experience as a Clinical Social Worker in a healthcare setting. Prefer home health experience.

4. Essential Technical / Motor Skills : Ability to speak clearly to communicate with patients, families, physicians and staff regarding patient’s condition and care.

Must be able to communicate and be literate in the English language. Hand / eye coordination to use computer. Able to perform basic patient transfers and guard patients.

5. Interpersonal Skills : Ability to develop positive interactions with patients, families, physicians, and staff to effectively care for patients.

6. Essential Physical Requirements : Sitting for patient, family, and group therapies; writing, some walking, climbing stairs, standing and driving an automobile.

7. Essential Mental Abilities : Must be able to asses a patient’s psycho-social situation, formulate treatment plans, select appropriate social work interventions, evaluate the patient’s response to treatment interventions and to engage the patient in treatment.

Requires a high level of mental faculties accompanied by short-and long-term memory. Able to prioritize duties, learn new skills and techniques.

8. Essential Sensory Requirements : Ability to visually assess patient and to utilize sight to implement and evaluate interventions.

Utilize hearing to effectively communicate with patients, families, physicians and staff.

9. Exposure to Hazards : Ability to withstand allergies such as dust, smoke, cigarette smoke, fumes. May be subject to blood borne pathogens exposure and to blood and / or body fluids.

May be exposed to dangerous animals and traffic hazards while home visiting. May encounter situations which present a potential threat to personal safety.

May encounter temperature changes and weather extremes.

10. Hours of Work : Essentially 40 hours per week but may need to flex schedule to accommodate patient needs.

11. Population Served : Adolescents, adults, geriatrics, and pediatrics.

12. Must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license and an operational vehicle.