Job Summary:

The Social Services Specialist assists patients and their families with personal and environmental difficulties that predispose illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from health and medical care. Plans, organizes, and implements social work services to patients and families. Provides emotional care and advocacy and maintains effective working relationships with community resources and services. Works closely with and maintains a good working relationship with the patient treatment team. Utilizes the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served; utilizes knowledge of the principles of growth and development and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Will perform duties of Activities Director for swing bed unit and document those activities. Performs other job duties as assigned

Performance Expectations:

• Learns and follows various regulatory guidelines, and manages daily workload while prioritizing and managing multiple tasks.

• Maintains professional relationships with community resources such as Nursing Homes, Personal Care Homes, Home Health, Hospice, DME, etc.
• Appropriately documents Social Services MDS sections in line with CMS guidelines
• Communicate and interact with care providers and team members, patients/families, and visitors utilizing the We C.A.R.E philosophy.
• Collaborate with nurses, providers, and patients to develop a documented discharge plan for every patient.
• Identifies and reports abuse and neglect to the provider and the appropriate agency
• Always respect and maintain the confidentiality and dignity of the patient and significant others by utilizing the We C.A.R.E. philosophy.
• Successfully gain placement for patients within skilled care facilities when appropriate and the facility is agreeable to acceptance.
• Assist patients in obtaining insurance coverage when needed.
• Completes assessment of patient’s personal preferences and documents in the electronic health record
• Coordinates and Supervises Activities for Swing bed Patients.
• Provided Patients with community resource information.
• Obtains Patient signatures on MOON and Patient Rights
• Collects identified quality improvement data, provides an improvement plan of action, and monitors Quality Improvement Initiatives
• Analyze complex discharge planning and social dynamic issues in an effort to solve them effectively
• Document timely and accurately in the electronic medical record
• Completes Swingbed Discharge Summary for every Discharged Swingbed
• Completes referral preadmission screening.
• Attends and participates in Discharge Planning Huddle.
• Attends and participates in Swing Bed Huddle
• Readily available and answer all referrals from all patient care units, including the Emergency Department
• Report to duty during an emergency operation incident
• Attends Codes called in the emergency room and assists with next of kin care
• Behaviors and interactions demonstrate a positive attitude, personal initiative, and motivation to achieve the department's goals.
• Champions the development and growth of safety culture.
• Participates in all competencies planned for the job role before deadlines.
• Complies with the departmental and facility policy.
• Follows the policies in the Employee Handbook.
• Uses “We Care” philosophy in daily communication
• Required appropriate use of the department’s communication app.
• The spreading of rumors and gossip creates unnecessary turmoil, weakens working relationships, and is contrary to the spirit of the hospital, and is prohibited.
• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required; Masters preferred.
• Prefer degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; prefer Medical Social Worker.
• Prefer LCSW and ACSW (Academy of Certified Social Workers) certification.
• Understanding and use of Microsoft Office

Work Experience:

Prefer at least one year social work experience in a health-related agency or facility.

Certification/Licensure-DUE UPON HIRE

• CMS approved Activities Training Course, preferred within 30 days of hire

Mental Demands:

Ability to organize required tasks, cooperate with others, follow policy/procedure, and relate positively and effectively with patients, families, physicians, and other health professionals, and the general public. Ability to assess clients and initiate and guide others in problem-solving process. Ability to become familiar with community agencies and their policies/procedures. Ability to work independently as well as function effectively as a team member, has initiative, and functions under stress.