Social Worker

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Position Title:

Social Worker

Last Reviewed:

12/15/2020

Salary Class:

Non-Exempt

Department:

Various

Position Code:

4759

Reports To:

Manager of Inpatient Services

BASIC FUNCTION

Social workers will provide assessment, planning, consulting, education and referral services to Gundersen Health System patients and family members. Social Workers act as consultants and leaders in comprehensive care throughout the system, while supporting organizational strategies and goals.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Works in collaboration with interdisciplinary team and community health professionals to sensitize and educate health care providers to the social and emotional aspects of the patient's illness. Works with healthcare professionals to identify potential patients through screening, consultation, and referrals including education regarding varying levels of health care, community resources, advance directives, and legal proceedings. Uses case management skills to help patients and their families address andproblem solvethe social, financial and psychological problems related to their health condition. Educate patients and families regarding the levels of care, community resources, advance directives, legal proceedings and roles of their health care team members. Helps patients and families understand the illness and treatment options, as well as consequences of various treatments or treatment refusal. Helps patients and families adjust to hospital admission; possible role changes; emotional/social responses to illness and treatment. Empowers patients and families to communicate with one another and members of the health care team and to advocate for their own needs. 7.Utilizes knowledge and resources to assure appropriate treatment of identified problems and to assist with patient and family referrals. Uses critical and out of box thinking to create successful discharges. Provides emergency assessment and crisis intervention for the patient and family in collaboration with other healthcare professionals and community partners. Provides daily review and documentation of the intervention with the patient/family in the electronic medical record and other forms/screens as dictated by the accepting agency or patient specifics needs. 10. Collects and documents statistical data on case type and develops reports required to be maintained by the health system; with assistance from administrative staff reports to appropriate federal and/or state regulatory agencies; presents report to colleagues, management, and leadership for identification of problem areas. Conducts selves in accordance with NASW Ethics and Code of Conduct towards internal and external customers. Adheres to regular and predictable attendance. Personally interacts, engages with and cares for patients. Ensures patient safety. Performs other job-related responsibilities.

SCOPE OF THE JOB

Age Specific Population Served:

Pediatric (1 - 12 years)
Adolescent (13 - 17 years)
Adult (18 - 64 years)
Geriatric (65 years & older)
Infant (less than 1 year)

OSHA Category

Category I - All Employees in this job title have a reasonably anticipated risk of occupational exposure to blood and/or other potentially infectious materials.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Required

Bachelor's degree inSocial Workor a related human service field

Work Experience:

Required

No experience required.

Desired

1-yearwork experience in social services in a hospital, medical clinic, county social service agency or nursing home.

Skills and Knowledge: Ability to or Knowledge of...

Required

Reasoning/Decision Making

have a broad range of interests including concerns for personal, organization and community environment
appreciate people whose values, goals, and cultures are different from your own
develop additional knowledge by attending workshops and seminars

Communication

communicate with ease on a professional level
excellent oral and written communication skills

Leadership

Reasoning/Decision Making

Must be flexible
Must be professional, honest and have personal integrity
Must be self-directed
Must be decisive
Must participate in and support professional organizations
Appreciates people whose values, goals, and cultures are different from your own
Develops additional knowledge by attending workshops and seminars
reach sound logical conclusions based on information at hand; good judgment
problem solve - evaluate, analyze, negotiate and recommend alternatives
manage conflict
legal and regulatory standards

General - All Positions

Work cooperatively with a wide variety of people
Must have a professional attitude in regard to motivation, cooperation, flexibility, confidentiality, ethics and personal development
Perceives and respond sensitively to the needs of others
Use listening skills to identify important information in oral communication
provide excellent customer service to people both inside and outside the organization

Computer Systems/Software/Applications

operate computer
patient record systems

Desired

Leadership

legal and regulatory standards

License and Certifications:

Required

Social Worker licensed in the state(s) of practice

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/DEMANDS OF THE POSITION

Sitting

Frequently (34-66% or 5.5 hours)

Static Standing

Rarely (1-5% or .5 hours)

Walking/Standing

Occasionally (6-33% or 3 hours)

Reaching - Below Shoulder

Frequently (34-66% or 5.5 hours)

Repetitive Actions - Fine Manipulation

Continually (67-100% or 8 hours)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Completes initial screenings and evaluations of patients. Comprehensive psychosocial assessment of patients. Help patients and families understand the illness and treatment options, as well as consequences of various treatments or treatment refusal. Helps patients and families adjust to hospital admission; possible role changes; emotional/social responses to illness and treatment. Educate patients on the roles of healthcare team members; assisting patients and families in communicating with one another and to members of the healthcare team; interpreting information. Educate patients on the levels of healthcare (i.e. acute, sub-acute, home care); financial support (e.ge., Medicare, Medicaid); community resources; and advance directives. Facilitate patient-centered decision making Supporting and assisting those with mental illness; providing or making referrals for individual, family, and group counseling. Educate hospital staff regarding patient psychosocial issues. Promote communication and collaboration among healthcare team members. Coordinate patient discharge and continuity of care planning. Arrange for resources/funds to finance medications, durable medical equipment, and other needed services. Ensure communication and understanding about post-hospital care among patient, family, and healthcare team members. Works in collaboration with interdisciplinary team and community health professionals to sensitize and educate healthcare providers to the social and emotional aspects of the patient's illness. Empower patients and families to communicate with one another and members of the healthcare team and promote independence. Provide emergency assessment and crisis intervention for the patient and family in collaboration with other healthcare professionals and community partners. Review progress and provide documentation of social service intervention with the patient/family in the electronic medical record and other forms/screens as dictated by patient specifics needs. Conform with NASW Ethics and Code of Conduct towards internal and external customers. Review and update Social Service policies as necessary.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Subject to inside environmental conditions.

Exposed to infectious diseases.

Responsibilities in an Emergency:

The Social Worker will respond to emergency situations involving the safety of other employees and the family. This includes possible evacuation of patients.

If you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact the recruiter listed below:

Primary Recruiter:

Recruiter Email Address:

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