Licensed Clinical Social Worker ED Per Diem Day Shift

Job Summary: 

Provides for a planned and systematic process for monitoring and evaluation of all patients, assessing the medical, financial, psychosocial, and physical needs after discharge from an acute hospital. Directs, supervises, evaluates, and provides social services to clients/patients as prescribed by the attending physician. Communicates with patients and their families to ensure every effort is directed toward helping them develop an adequate continuing care plan in preparation for discharge from the hospital. Assists patients and their families in resolving personal and environmental difficulties which predispose an individual to illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from medical care.

Actively and consistently contributes to department operations and communications, behaves in a manner consistent with the mission, vision, and values of Pipeline Health, upholding standards of AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank you) patient communication.

ED Social Worker:

The ED Social Worker works closely with ED physicians and interdisciplinary team in coordinating the needs of patients.  The Social Worker will communicate with patients and their families to ensure every effort is directed toward helping them develop an adequate continuing care plan in preparation for discharge from the Emergency Department. 

Essential Functions: 

• Provides direct social work services and counseling to patients and families to enhance psychosocial functioning, spiritual, cultural, emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
• Interviews patients/family within 72 hours (or earlier if needed) of admission to determine the social psychological, financial, grief support, cultural, family and health need, to formulate a written assessment.
• Demonstrates timely physician notification of significant changes in patient’s condition, and other conditions requiring physician notification.
• Communicates pertinent data regarding patient status to appropriate health care professionals.
• Demonstrates proficiency in implementing physician’s orders without error. Confers with physician for clarification of order when necessary for accurate compliance.
• Develops a plan of intervention, based upon assessment, which addresses the patient’s physical and psychological problems, and in coordination with the recommendation of other health care disciplines involved in the patient’s plan of care.
• Participates in the interdisciplinary and independent patient care reviews, in-service training and research as appropriate.
• Demonstrates utilization of policy and procedure manuals to deliver care in an appropriate, efficient, and respectful manner.
• Consults and works with medical staff, nursing, and ancillary staff regarding functional status and needs of the patient.
• Trains and assists in the hiring of new LSCW or Medical Social Workers.
• Sets workflow plans and adheres to priorities outlined by leadership.
• Supervises and maintains working knowledge of daily assignments/tasks for other employees and equipment, supplies, and machines needed.
• Ensures availability of supplies and equipment.
• Performs administrative duties for coordination and operations of social workers and participates in and assists in the development of clinical and research protocols.
• Reports problems concerning staffing requirements, work methods, staff morale, etc. Coordinates with personnel of other departments regarding patient and/or staff related problems.
• Prepares the Department schedule, accepts sick calls as needed and modifies the schedule accordingly.
• Serves as a resource for employees regarding all pertinent software applications.
• Uses clear, concise, professional communication with coworkers, patients, all customers internal and external.
• Uses AIDET in interactions with patients and family members. Utilizes white boards for patient communication.
• Collaborates across disciplines to assist in coordination of patient care, including but not limited to patient transfer, discharge, referrals, and spiritual/psychosocial support needs.
• Trains and assists in the hiring of new LCSW or Social Workers.
• Sets workflow plans and adheres to priorities outlined by leadership.
• Supervises and maintains working knowledge of daily assignments/tasks for other employees and equipment, supplies, and machines needed.
• Ensures availability of supplies and equipment. Performs administrative duties for coordination and operations of social workers and participates in and assists in the development of clinical and research protocols.
• Reports problems concerning staffing requirements, work methods, staff morale, etc. Coordinates with personnel of other departments regarding patient and/or staff related problems.
• Serves as a resource for employees regarding all pertinent software applications. 
• Ability to complete a Psychosocial Assessment of patient’s needs within required time frames of hospital policy.
• Ability to complete Initial DC Planning Assessment within required time frames of hospital policy.
• Collaborates with health care team when it is determined that the patient no longer benefits from ED treatment or when requested treatment is not available. Assists with coordination of transition to the next level of care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and linking patient and/or family to these resources for continuity of care.
• Facilitates the discharge process of ED patients back to the community.
• Arranges durable medical equipment and transportation of ED patient for safe discharge to the community.
• Provides for referral of patients and families to appropriate community, social service, home health service, extended care facilities and rehabilitation facilities/organizations.
• Assists inpatient Social Worker with initial assessment or psychosocial assessments as needed.
• Acts as a resource for hospital staff on the psychosocial aspect of mental/physical illness, disability, and available community resources.
• Participates in care conferences with patients, families/representatives/caregivers, and other members of the care team. Participates in ethics committee meetings as needed. Evaluates patient data, communicates to and educates physicians regarding patient needs.
• Provides patients with Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Advance Directive for health care.
• Acts with a sense of urgency when performing tasks.
• Basic unit/department maintenance such as keeping files, drawers, cabinets free from unnecessary clutter.
• Reports on any equipment and or environmental issues for repair.
• Abides by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations.
• Utilizes SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) when communicating with oncoming shift, physician communication and giving report to ancillary or other nursing services.
• Speaks up to stop the line and escalates potential safety events if necessary.
• Completes and attends monthly training assigned.
• May float to other areas of the hospital as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Standards: 

• Treats everyone as their customer; utilizes scripting and other tools to ensure consistency in customer service; Expresses recognition and shows appreciation to others; fully utilizes AIDET principles; responds quickly to handle requests, complaints, and questions; displays a positive attitude.
• Demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, passion and care when interacting with patients, families, physicians, and hospital staff members.
• Using a lens of equity in all aspects of patient care delivery, education, and research to promote policies and practices to allow opportunities for all to thrive and reach their potential, embracing ingenuity to service our customers. 

Communication/Knowledge: 

• Wears nametag properly; follows dress code policy; answers phone correctly and promptly; is prepared for meetings; meets deadlines; does not participate in gossip; acts ethically and treats others with respect; respects customer’s and co-worker’s time; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and co-workers. 

Collaboration/Teamwork: 

• Attends staff meetings; follows HIPAA guidelines; follows patient rights policy; complies with the compliance program; demonstrates knowledge of role in a disaster; demonstrates knowledge of fire and fire drill procedures; working knowledge of hospital emergency codes; always utilizes standard precautions in the clinical setting; safely manages the environment of care by demonstrating a working knowledge of the requirements of the: Life Safety program, Utilities Management program, Hazardous Materials program, Emergency Preparedness program, Safety Management program, Medical Equipment Management program, Security Management program. 

Qualifications/Experience: 

• At least three (3) years’ experience as a Medical Social Worker in a general acute healthcare setting. 
• At least one (1) years’ experience in a leadership role, within the healthcare setting a plus.
• Critical thinking, service excellence and good interpersonal communication skills, ability to read/comprehend written instructions, strong organizational skills, ability to follow verbal instructions, and PC (computer) skills.
• A capacity to learn, synthesize, make critical judgments, work independently, place patients and families first, and collaborate with the team members who are recognized leaders within health care.