POSITION SUMMARY:

Assesses, plans, and implements the care needs of patients throughout the outpatient services of the organization. Collaborates with physicians, nursing staff, and other care team members to ensure appropriate services are provided to meet the needs of the patients. Responds to consults from all BCH clinic providers. Assists the hospital social worker as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrate regular attendance.

• Assess patients' social, emotional, and financial needs and provide consultation as requested by other members of the healthcare team, typically in an outpatient setting.

• Maintains performance in compliance with State and Federal laws, and consistency with high standards of business and professional ethics.

• Maintains effective communication with fellow staff including but not limited to providers, nursing staff, and all levels of supervision.

• Maintains professional growth and development including but not limited to continuing education for licensure, certifications, etc.

• Communicate in a clear, concise, and credible manner. Maintains a high level of professionalism.

• Participates in staff meetings and organization-wide in-service programs as required.

• Accountable for demonstrating proficiency in the job-specific skills list and any additional skills necessary to complete the job.

• Accountable for maintaining skill proficiency, including improvement where deemed necessary, and developing new competencies to align with the job-specific skills list.

JOB- SPECIFIC SKILLS:

• Provide informal counseling and emotional support to patients and families.

• Connect patients and families with community resources and support services including but not limited to: Transportation, food programs, housing, mental health, substance abuse, home care, hospice, and waiver programs.

• Provide crisis intervention support as needed.

• Help patients navigate healthcare systems and insurance paperwork.

• Educate patients on advance care planning and assist with completing documents.

• Assist patients and families with nursing facility placement including the completion of Level 1 PASRR assessments.

• Follow-up with hospital discharges as needed.

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to assist in providing care appropriate to the ages of patients served within the organization.

• Crosstrain on Med/Surg and ED to assist as needed.

• Maintain knowledge of HMOs, MCOs, and other insurance organizations.

• Maintains current community resource data.

• Assures a coordinated interdisciplinary effort that reflects individual needs within the context of both the family and healthcare system.

• Timely and accurate documentation in the electronic health record system.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Graduate of an accredited Social Work program; BSW or MSW.

• Experience working in a healthcare setting, knowledge of healthcare systems, and familiar with medical terminology.

• Be detail oriented, self-motivated, self-starter, and must be able to work independently without close supervision.

• Strong organizational and time management abilities. Proficient written and verbal skills.

• Proficient problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.

• Ability to handle emotionally charged situations with compassion and professionalism.

• Ability to uphold ethical standards and commitment to patient confidentiality.

• BLS certification within 6 months of hire.

• Mandatory Reporter within 6 months of hire.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS:

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS:

Operate office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, copy machines, calculators, facsimile, and scanners.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Typical working conditions include contact with patients/families/hospital staff and physicians. Interaction with others may be constant and interruptive at times. Time is also spent sitting at a desk for long periods of time, working on the computer, or talking on the phone.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Vision must be correctable to view computer screens and read printed information. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

Hearing must be in the normal range for telephone contacts and other conversations.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for this job. It is not intended to be a complete statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.