Medical Social Consultant - UI Health, Maternal/Child

Location: Chicago, IL USA • On-Site • Full-time (1.0 FTE) • 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Days

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, 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.

Benefits

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

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive psychosocial assessments including social, emotional, cultural, mental status, environmental, and financial circumstances in conjunction with an interdisciplinary assessment of the patient.
• Recommend and document a plan of intervention based on mutually established goals, addressing:
  • Reactions to illness and different abilities, especially for 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 makers for patients; collaborate with complex service lines 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 and manage complex family dynamics impacting plan of care and discharge planning; 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 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; 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.
• Collect and report 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 performance/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.
• 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.
• Maternal & Child Health duties:
  • Assist with adoption and guardianship processes
  • Provide supportive services and resources for unexpected pregnancy/pregnancy termination
  • Offer perinatal loss support
  • Support teen pregnancy or birth
  • 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 Meetings
• On-Call responsibilities (does not apply for Extra Help):
  • Provide phone consult, coordinate discharge planning, and communicate regarding reporting activities to all medical center areas after normal business hours
  • Document on-call activities
  • During a disaster, help activate phone triage list to arrange help as needed during an internal or external disaster
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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 (LSW) or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
• Illinois residency required within 180 days of employment.

Pay

$67,329.60 – $118,747.20 / year