Medical Social Consultant - UI Health, Continuum of Care

About the role

The Medical Social Consultant provides counseling, comprehensive psychosocial assessment and related functions for patients identified as needing Social Work support or intervention with a specific focus on pre and post-surgical patient assessment. They provide long-term follow-up care to promote the best outcome for patients post-surgery and serve as a collaborative partner with the multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Responsibilities

• Mets directly with patient/family to perform a comprehensive psychosocial assessment including social, emotional, cultural, mental status, environmental and financial circumstances in conjunction with an interdisciplinary assessment of the patient.
• Recommends a plan of intervention and surgical readiness based on mutually established goals.
• Conducts and documents initial psychosocial assessment, health related social needs, 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 medical team, in accordance with Illinois Health Care Surrogate Act and hierarchy
  • Serves as a collaborative partner with the members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team to facilitate an appropriate transitional care plan.
• Facilitates 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 or educational opportunities.
• Addresses financial issues related to insurance coverage and payment, refers to Financial Case Management Unit.
• Conflict resolution, management of complex family dynamics impacting plan of care and discharge planning, coordination of complex clinical case conferences.
• Investigation, management and reporting of suspected abuse or neglect of minor children and vulnerable adults.
• Facilitates involvement of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS).
• Facilitates involvement of Illinois Department on 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.
• Member of Behavioral Response Team.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited school or university in social or behavioral science or a related health specialty area.
• Current State of IL Licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).