Medical Social Consultant - UI Health, Maternal/Child

Hiring Department: Continuum of Care • Location: Chicago, IL • Workplace Type: On-Site • FTE: 1

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 comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital and outpatient clinics, and the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including 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 and take direction from leadership under the Department of Health Social Work. The Social Worker provides counseling, comprehensive psychosocial assessment, and related functions for patients identified as needing Social Work support or intervention. Serves as a collaborative partner with members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team to facilitate an appropriate transitional care plan.

Responsibilities

• Perform a comprehensive psychosocial assessment including social, emotional, cultural, mental status, environmental, and financial circumstances in conjunction with an interdisciplinary assessment of the patient.
• Recommend a plan of intervention based on mutually established goals.
• Conduct and document 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.
• Facilitate health care surrogacy and/or guardianship process for patients deemed non-decisional by the medical team, in accordance with the Illinois Health Care Surrogate Act and hierarchy.
• Lead efforts to find family and/or surrogate decision maker for patients.
• Collaborate with complex service line and the legal department to file for Illinois state guardian when necessary.
• Coordinate groups for supportive interventions or educational opportunities.
• Address financial issues related to insurance coverage and payment; refer to Financial Case Management Unit.
• Resolve conflicts, manage complex family dynamics impacting plan of care and discharge planning, and coordinate complex clinical case conferences.
• Investigate, manage, and report suspected abuse or neglect of minor children and vulnerable adults; facilitate involvement of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) and Illinois Department on Aging.
• Identify, report, provide intervention, offer safety planning, and document cases of suspected Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence of adults; facilitate involvement of Chicago Police Department when deemed necessary.
• Assess for depression and suicidal ideation using validated tools; address psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders.
• Provide supportive care for patients considered for hospice/palliative care and participate in family meetings to discuss goals of care and end-of-life planning.
• Address needs for patients who are unhoused.
• Perform assessments of the physical environment and adequacy of support systems to prevent a crisis and/or hospitalization.
• Participate in Quality Improvement committees and other committees where Social Work involvement is warranted.
• Provide cross coverage to other clinics and inpatient medical units as assigned.
• Assist with training new staff and student interns.
• Assist in the collection and reporting of financial indicators including LOS, avoidable days, resource utilization, discharge barriers, cost per case, readmission rates, and denials.
• Use data to drive decisions and plan/implement performance improvement strategies related to social work for assigned patients/units, including financial, clinical, quality, and patient satisfaction data.
• Collect data for discharge delays, over-utilization of resources, avoidable days, and other data for specific performance and/or outcome indicators.
• Participate in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of tools in collaboration with the healthcare team.
• Assume responsibility for professional development and social work clinical education requirements by participating in workshops, conferences, and/or in-services.
• Develop and lead groups or education sessions based on program needs.
• Provide any functions that may be considered appropriate to the role or services as a Social Worker.
• Maintain competency for Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Clinical Licensure (LCSW), and credentialing of program to allow for the ability to generate revenue under billing of services.
• Handle psychiatric transfers and other duties as assigned.

Maternal & Child Health Responsibilities

• Assist with adoption and guardianship processes.
• Provide supportive services and resources for unexpected pregnancy/pregnancy termination.
• Offer perinatal loss support.
• Provide teen pregnancy or birth support.
• Conduct mental health and substance use disorder assessments antepartum and postpartum.
• Engage in extensive DCFS involvement.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of resources for pregnancy, parenting, and pediatric-related issues.
• Attend biweekly Child Advocacy Team Meeting.

On-Call Responsibilities

• 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 a disaster, help 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 IL Licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
• Illinois residency required within 180 days of employment.

Benefits

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

Pay

$67,329.60 - $118,747.20 / Annual Salary

Schedule

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM • Days