Social Worker

About the role

About LIFE Pittsburgh LIFE Pittsburgh, a growing nonprofit organization with approximately 400 employees, is a community-based alternative to nursing home care and assisted living. Through the LIFE Pittsburgh program, frail older adults can remain in their own home and receive a coordinated plan of care that enables them to maintain their independence and enjoy a safe and active life in the community. Our health teams of geriatric physicians and nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation specialists and other health care professionals assess our Participants' needs and desires, plan and approve services with them and their family or caregiver, monitor for changes and provide timely interventions. Primary care and community services are provided through our Day Health Centers and through our in-home program according to an individual Participant's needs.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the profession's unique psychosocial perspective to the interdisciplinary evaluation, assessment, plan of care, and ongoing services that occur once LIFE Pittsburgh Participants begin the enrollment process. Interventions could include individual Participant contacts; appropriate collateral contact; Participant and family education, assessment and counseling; mobilizing resources, addressing mental health needs as they arise; ongoing care management; advocacy to ensure patient needs are addressed; and in the event, dis-enrollment education and procedures. In partnership with the Interdisciplinary Team, ensures effective, efficient, and appropriate care in order to optimize the health status and quality of life for our Participants. The Social Worker is knowledgeable regarding social systems and institutions, individual behaviors and can skillfully apply appropriate interventions to meet the needs of LIFE Pittsburgh Participants and family members.

• Individual Participant contacts
• Appropriate collateral contact
• Participant and family education, assessment and counseling
• Mobilizing resources
• Addressing mental health needs as they arise
• Ongoing care management
• Advocacy to ensure patient needs are addressed
• Dis-enrollment education and procedures

Positions are based out of an Adult Day Health Center (located in North Shore, Allegheny Center, McKees Rocks and Green Tree). Travel within the community throughout a shift is required. Service areas vary. All business mileage is reimbursed at the Federal rate.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of the specific needs of the Participant served.
• Frequently required to manage many details within a fast paced environment.
• Thorough working knowledge of supporting cognitively impaired seniors and their families to deal with sensitive issues and facilitate problem solving.
• Possesses the knowledge of the human growth and development of the Participant served.
• Understands the range of treatment needed to serve LIFE Participants.
• Ability to multi task and problem