Medical Social Consultant - UI Health, Complex Care

Location: Chicago, IL USA • On-Site • Full-time

About UI Health

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), UI Health includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital, outpatient clinics, the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers, and the seven UIC health science colleges: Applied Health Sciences, Dentistry, School of Public Health, Jane Addams College of Social Work, and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing (with regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana). UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity.

About the Role

Report to the Director of Health Social Work. The Medical Social Consultant provides counseling, comprehensive psychosocial assessment, and related functions for patients identified as needing Social Work support or intervention. Serves as a collaborative partner with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to facilitate an appropriate transitional care plan.

Responsibilities

• Meets directly with patient/family to perform a comprehensive assessment including social, emotional, cultural, mental status, environmental, and financial circumstances in conjunction with interdisciplinary assessment of the patient.
• Recommends a plan of intervention based on mutually established goals.
• Conducts and documents initial psychosocial assessment, appropriate interventions, and expected transition in a comprehensive, clear, timely, and legible manner, addressing:
  • Reactions to illness and different abilities, especially the chronically and terminally ill.
  • Adjustment to the medical setting and compliance with the treatment plan.
  • Adjustment/coping with post-hospital/clinic care needs and linkage to community resources.
• Facilitates health care surrogacy and/or guardianship process for patients deemed non-decisional by the medical team, in accordance with Illinois Health Care Surrogate Act and hierarchy. Leads efforts to find family and/or surrogate decision maker for patients.
• Collaborates with complex service line and the legal department to file for Illinois State guardian when necessary.
• Coordinates groups for supportive interventions and educational opportunities.
• Addresses financial issues related to insurance coverage and payment; refers to Financial Case Management Unit/Insurance Verifiers.
• Manages conflict resolution, complex family dynamics impacting plan of care, and coordination of complex clinical case conferences.
• Investigates, manages, and reports suspected abuse or neglect of minor children and vulnerable adults. Facilitates involvement of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (ILDCFS) and Illinois Department of Aging. Identifies, reports, provides intervention, offers safety planning, and documents cases of suspected intimate partner violence/domestic violence of adults. Facilitates involvement of Chicago Police Department when deemed necessary.
• Assesses for depression and suicidal ideation using validated tools. Addresses psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders.
• Provides supportive care for patients considered for hospice/palliative care and participates in family meetings to discuss goals of care and end-of-life planning.
• Addresses needs for patients who are unhoused.
• Performs assessments of the physical environment and adequacy of support systems to prevent a crisis and/or hospitalization.
• Participates in Quality Improvement committees and other committees where Social Work involvement is warranted.
• Provides cross coverage to other clinics and inpatient medical units as assigned.
• Assists with training new staff and student interns.
• Assists in collection and reporting of financial indicators including LOS, avoidable days, resource utilization, discharge barriers, cost per case, readmission rates, denial.
• Uses data to drive decisions and plan/implement performance improvement strategies related to case management for assigned patients/units, including financial, clinical, quality, and patient satisfaction data.
• Collects data for discharge delays, over-utilization of resources, avoidable days, and other data for specific performance and/or outcome indicators.
• Participates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of case management tools in collaboration with the healthcare team.
• Assumes responsibility for professional development and social work CE requirements by participating in workshops, conferences, and/or in-services.
• Develops and leads groups or educational sessions based on program needs.
• Provides any functions that may be considered appropriate to the role or services as a Social Worker.
• Maintains competency for Clinical Licensure (LCSW).
• Manages discharge planning through placement coordination and resource utilization.
• Actively participates in the stages of discharge planning and ensures that the plan of care is coordinated, facilitated, and effectively communicated to the Physician, healthcare team, patient/designated caregiver(s).
• Attends daily Multidisciplinary Rounds (MDRs) or Unit/Clinic-based rounds.
• Utilizes appropriate software to cultivate resources mapped directly from patient’s medical, social, and cultural needs and insurance coverage, financial status, geographical preference, and physician recommendations.
• Coordinates action plans when barriers are present to facilitate resolution.
• Coordinates discharge planning to ensure a timely discharge (placement or return to community) through early identification, assessment, and intervention for post-medical center care needs, including:
  • Other Hospitals
  • Rehabilitative facilities
  • Extended care facilities
  • Sub-Acute Care or Group Homes
  • Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Care
  • Return to home or other living arrangement
• Escalates to supervisor/director when barriers are present to facilitate resolution. Proactively identifies and resolves delays and obstacles to discharge. Utilizes advanced conflict resolution skills as necessary.
• Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and an ability to connect patients and families with these resources. Acts as an advocate on behalf of the patient who requires assistance to gain access to needed information, resources, or services.
• Reviews clinically high-risk cases and submits for review at weekly Clinical High Risk meeting, attended by Physician Advisor, Risk, Ethics, and Discharge Planning.
• Engages clinic providers and staff through regular contact/updates and attendance at clinic/provider meetings.
• Facilitates appropriate transitions of care by engaging the clinical team upon admission and discharge and referring the patient to ambulatory social work and care coordination as appropriate.
• On-call duties to provide phone consult, coordinate discharge planning, communicate regarding reporting activities, etc., to all medical center areas after normal business hours and follow up with documenting on-call activities.
• During disaster, helps activate phone triage list to arrange help as needed during an internal or external disaster.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited school or university in social or behavioral science or a related health specialty area.
• Current State of Illinois Licensure as a Licensed Social Worker or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
• Knowledge of complex discharge planning processes for high-risk populations.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents

Pay

$67,330.00 - $118,747.00 / Annual Salary

Schedule

9:00 AM - 5:30 PM • Days