Social Worker (MSW)

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients within assigned area or social work discipline.
• Perform ongoing assessment of social, psychological, environmental, and financial factors for ESRD patients.
• Develop social work treatment plan and coordinate the development of the multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in counseling and determining the suitability for all treatment modalities.
• Counsel patients, family members, significant others, and staff in adjustments to chronic illness, changes in lifestyle, and choice of treatment modality.
• Obtain and review all educational materials, develop and/or distribute information as needed.
• Represent patient to community agencies through referral and follow-up.
• Ensure patient access to appropriate resources and develop relationships and referrals.
• Collaborate with other services to assure proper and timely referral for both permanent transfers and short-term transient care.
• Monitor and supervise transportation referrals to assure timely and appropriate services.
• Communicate and confer regularly and frequently with financial offices to provide information exchange in order to enhance Accounts Receivables service.
• Absorb and report cases of patient abuse/neglect/domestic violence.
• Act as a resource to staff, patients, families and/or caregivers.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s Degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Complete a course study with specialization in clinical practice.
• Experience: With degree, no experience required but internship or some experience with treatment of patients in hospital or other medical facility preferred.
• Knowledge and Skills: Maintain current knowledge of treatment options, quality indicators, infection control, patient’s safety issues, patient’s rights, medical legal issues, reimbursement rules, regulations, billing, and receivables. Skills in oral and written communication and interpersonal skills to interact, develop, and sustain sound working relationships with patients, families, multidisciplinary professionals, other Hospital departments, and outside agencies. Ability to fully utilize BHMC’s electronic record systems, equipment and other healthcare and billing systems relevant to this position.
• Licenses, Certifications: New York State Social Worker License required.

Physical Requirements

• Position requires prolonged periods of standing, reaching, walking throughout the working day.
• Position will be required to stoop, bend, lift, and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds.