Social Work (LSW), Inpatient - Oncology, Full-Time, Days

Responsibilities

• Pychosocial Assessment and Intervention: Meets directly with patient and 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 patient needs, preference and mutually established goals.
• Provides psychosocial interventions which include reactions to illness and disability, especially the chronically and terminally ill. Facilitation of informed decision making [including advanced directives] and development of treatment and intervention plans.
• Adjustment to the hospital setting and compliance with treatment plan. Adjustment and coping with post hospital care needs and linkage to community resources.
• Gynecological and obstetrical related issues including teen pregnancy, parenting issues, adoption planning, infant developmental problems, drug exposed neonate, fetal death, unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy termination, and other care as needed.
• Issues related to insurance coverage and payment. Psychiatric symptoms and chemical dependency. Conflict resolution. Family and personal relationship that impact the plan of care and discharge plans.
• Performs assessments of the physical environment and adequacy of support systems for outpatients to prevent a crisis and/or hospitalization. Provides crisis intervention and/or Protective Services for the elderly without support systems, with impaired mental status and/or victims of suspected abuse/neglect, as well as victims of suspected sexual/physical assault (includes rape and molestation), victims of suspected child abuse or neglect, or victims of domestic violence.
• Manages Discharge Planning through Placement Coordination, Resource Utilization, and Coordination of Skilled Home Health Care. Actively participates in the stages of discharge planning and ensures that the plan of care is coordinated, facilitated and effectively communicated to the physicians, healthcare team, patient and family.
• Serves as the point person for the plan of care as it applies to discharge planning needs through facilitation of direct and continuous communication and collaborative decision making, including participation in multidisciplinary rounds and case conferences and other collaborative forums.
• Coordinates action plans when barriers are present to facilitate resolution. Coordinates discharge planning to ensure a timely discharge through early identification, assessment and intervention for post hospital care needs.
• Seeks consultation from and makes referrals to appropriate disciplines and departments as required to expedite discharge plan. Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and an ability to connect patients and families with these resources.
• Facilitates review of high risk cases by Office of General Counsel, Risk Management and informs appropriate members of the healthcare team as to interventions needed. Coordinates interventions in collaboration with healthcare team and ensures that interventions are successful.
• Provides patient and family education that promotes wellness and increases knowledge of the health care system. Demonstrates knowledge of the utilization management process which includes level of care assignment, communication with payors and benefit authorization for applicable situations.
• Actively Participates in Clinical Performance Improvement Activities. Assists in the collection and reporting of financial indicators including LOS, avoidable days, resource utilization, and discharge barriers. Uses data to drive decisions and plan/implement performance improvement strategies related for assigned patients/units, including financial, clinical, quality and patient satisfaction data.

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Social Work from a school of Social Work accredited by CSWE.
• A high level of interpersonal skills to affect positive outcomes.
• Organizational skills necessary to prioritize and manage an appropriate caseload of patients coupled with performing the Social Worker functions.
• Self direction required for daily work.
• Analytical skills necessary to independently collect, analyze, and interpret data, resolve problems requiring innovative solutions and to negotiate in sensitive situations.
• Licensure in Illinois. Licensed Social Worker, LSW.