Medical Social Worker I at Trinity Health - IHA – Ann Arbor, Michigan

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Medical Social Worker I (MedSW-I) provides assessment, education, referral and care coordination services to address barriers to patient’s optimal health related to Social Influencers of Health (SIOH). Connects patients with designated community agencies for resources to meet social, financial and environmental needs. The MedSW-I provides advocacy, crisis intervention, assistance to patients and families, and brokers resources in the community.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Assesses patients using screening tools and clinical interview regarding their psycho-social factors as it relates to achieving and maintaining patient’s optimum health.

Provides advanced problem solving, refers patients to community agencies/resources to address needs, and thoroughly documents assessments and services provided.

Develops, implements and assesses continuing care plans to support patient’s health and wellness, with awareness of social support system deficits and barriers.

Intervenes with patients and their family/support system to alleviate barriers to health.

Advocates, educates and facilitates resolution of patient ethical and legal issues, such as advance directives, end-of-life decisions, guardianship, etc.

Brokers with community agencies to access services to meet patient’s psycho-social needs.

Coordinates care across interdisciplinary team of providers.

Delivers crisis interventions and empowers patients with management of personal, social and environmental issues.

Facilitates and manages group medical appointments, where applicable.

Provides education and fosters understanding by health care personnel of social influencers of health and the challenges these create to patient wellness.

Actively participates in ongoing trainings to ensure provision of care considering age, developmental, socioeconomic, sexual identity, cultural, spiritual, and other diversity circumstances.

Maintains established productivity and quality standards; assumes additional responsibilities and performs work within position licensure, as required.

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of legal issues impacting patients, such as divorce and custody laws, child/adult abuse reporting, duty to warn, recipient rights, commitment of inpatient hospitalization, and other relevant laws/processes.

Assumes additional responsibilities and performs work within position licensure, as required.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Creates a positive, professional, service-oriented work environment for staff, patients and family members by supporting the mission and values of both IHA and Trinity Health.

Must be able to work effectively as a member of the Patient care-Office team.

Successfully completes IHA’s “The Customer” training and adheres to IHA’s standard of promptly providing a high level of service and respect to internal or external customers.

Maintains knowledge of and complies with IHA standards, policies and procedures.

Maintains complete knowledge of office services and in the use of all relevant office equipment, computer and manual systems.

Maintains strict patient and employee confidentiality in compliance with IHA and HIPAA guidelines.

Serves as a role model by demonstrating exceptional ability and willingness to take on new and additional responsibilities. Embraces new ideas and respects cultural differences.

Uses resources efficiently.

If applicable, responsible for ongoing professional development – maintains appropriate licensure/certification and continuing education credentials, participates in available learning opportunities.

MEASURED BY:

Performance that meets or exceeds IHA CARES Values expectation as outlined in IHA Performance Review document, relative to position.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Master’s degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.

CREDENTIALS/LICENSURE: Valid, unrestricted license to practice clinical social work in the State of Michigan.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 1 year experience in social work setting with vulnerable populations. Preferred crisis intervention and medical setting experience.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ABILITIES & SKILLS):

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of legal issues impacting patients, such as divorce and custody laws, child/adult abuse reporting, duty to warn, recipient rights, commitment of inpatient hospitalization, and other relevant laws/processes.

Proficient in operating a standard computer system, including but not limited to electronic medical records, e-learning, Microsoft Office and computer navigation needed to complete the tasks of clinical care and performance reporting. Ability to use other software as required while performing the essential functions of the job.

Ability to complete additional Health Stream requirements as assigned.

Knowledgeable in issues around substance use and addiction treatment and recovery.

Applied understanding of how social determinants affect health and demonstrated ability in problem solving.

Ability to collaboratively function as member of interdisciplinary team and recognize impact of treatment goals, utilization and outcome.

Familiarity and compliance with NASW Code of Ethics and any applicable accrediting organizations.

Extensive knowledge of community resources, and awareness of clinic population’s needs and services, and all aspects of community outreach and education.

Excellent interpersonal communication skills in both written and verbal forms, including proper phone etiquette and conflict management. Ability to speak before groups of people, either in-person or virtually. Ability and willingness to present publicly on related issues.

Ability to work effectively with various levels of organizational members and diverse populations including IHA staff, executive, management and Behavioral Health staff, providers, patients, family members, insurance carriers, vendors, external customers and community resource groups and providers.

Ability to cross-train in other areas of practice in order to achieve smooth flow of all operations.

Demonstrates excellent organization and time management skills to effectively juggle multiple priorities and time constraints

Ability to exercise advanced clinical judgement and competent problem-solving skills independently and productively.

Ability to drive to other office/practice sites and meeting and training locations.

Successful completion of IHA competency-based program within introductory and training period.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS:

Physical activity that often requires keyboarding, phone work and charting.

Physical activity that often requires extensive time working on a computer.

Physical activity that often requires lifting, pushing and/or pulling up to 20 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust and focus.

Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment.

Must hear and speak well enough to conduct business for long periods of time in English.

MINIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPECTATIONS:

This job operates in a medical facility and requires regular walking to various locations around the hospital/clinic. Employees will be working where there is patient care equipment. Hazardous materials, including bloodborne pathogens and bodily fluids are also present. Exposure to sharps, x-rays, patients' conditions and some unpleasant sights, smells and contagious diseases is possible. This position requires significant interaction with people (many of whom are scared, hurt and/or ill) which can be stressful and result in competing priorities.