Social Worker - Senior Care, Monroe

Overview

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset. Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

• The Social Worker is responsible for coordinating the complex care planning needs of patients and families, as well as providing supportive counseling, psychosocial assessment and interventions for patients with complex psychiatric, social, medical, and financial needs.
• Provides information, education, and support; mental health support/guidance; identification of problem areas that require additional intervention; and connecting patients with formal (professional) and less formal (family and community) resources available to address concerns.
• Assists the interdisciplinary team to help the patient and families cope with hospitalization, illness, diagnoses, treatment, and other issues as they prevent a barrier to efficient patient throughput and quality outcomes.
• Crisis Intervention and short term psychosocial counseling
• Screens patients, upon referral or according to high risk criteria for psychosocial needs. Conducts psychosocial assessment when indicated to identify emotional, social and environmental issues impacting quality outcomes and efficient patient throughput.
• Provides crisis intervention, supportive counseling and advocacy to assist patients and/or family with adjustment associated with illness, hospitalization and/or alternative care placement. Facilitates the decision making process in complex cases.
• Seeks appropriate consultation and referral services for psychosocial intervention (both during hospitalization and as follow-up).
• Communicates findings to care coordinator and other members of the interdisciplinary team and intervenes as appropriate in order to ensure a proactive approach to crisis intervention and efficient patient throughput.
• Documents according to policy.
• Patient Advocacy
• Helps patient/family understand, accept and follow medical recommendations within the context of self-determination.
• Helps patients understand their rights in regards to patient choice, medical treatment, advanced directives and other related issues.
• Initiates appropriate referrals to the Ethics Committee, Physician Advisor, Risk Management or Legal Services, as appropriate.
• Facilitates resolution of issues surrounding patient care in a compassionate manner, functioning as a patient advocate.
• Coordinates and ensures reporting of mandated child and elder abuse/neglect as required by law.
• Ensures advance directives are in place and honored according to patient wishes.
• Facilitates resource acquisition for the unfunded patient, as available.
• Patient Education
• Provides education to patient and families around issues related to adaptation to the patient’s diagnosis, illness, treatment, discharge plan and/or life situation.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings and provides leadership in representing the social work perspective.
• Serves as a resource to members of the interdisciplinary team and patient/family regarding coverage issues, discharge options and community resources
• Documents according to policy.
• Interpersonal Relationships and Job Performance
• Employs a high degree of skill in all oral and written communications and personal interactions and demonstrates collaborative working relationships.
• Uses appropriate resources and methods to resolve conflict with others.
• Meets assigned deadlines and quality standards without reminder from supervisor or others.
• Maintains a calm, rational, professional demeanor when dealing with others, even in situations involving conflict or crisis.
• Maintains absolute adherence to hospital and departmental policies and practices regarding confidentiality and patient's rights.
• Demonstrates knowledge and support of the hospital's mission and values.
• Maintains clinical…