Social Worker, MSW - Outpatient Ambulatory LCI

Full-time, benefits-eligible position with 40 hours per week. Hybrid schedule: on-site at 1021 Morehead Medical Drive, Charlotte, NC 28204 and remote work-from-home days. 1st shift, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients for discharge planning needs.
• Complete discharge planning for hospital inpatients, including initial evaluation and documentation according to department policy.
• Collaborate with physicians and other hospital disciplines to proactively develop plans for continued care after discharge.
• Coordinate with HMO, PPO, case managers, physical therapy, nursing, and other personnel regarding discharge needs.
• Develop and update the discharge plan, documenting it in the medical record per departmental policy.
• Act as a community liaison to arrange resources and enhance safe and timely discharges.
• Organize and attend patient care conferences to identify each patient’s potential discharge needs.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with all referral sources.
• Provide counseling services to patients and families, utilizing crisis intervention techniques when indicated.
• Evaluate patient/family support systems, financial support, and lifestyles.
• Provide adjustment counseling with emphasis on education and support.
• Offer information regarding community resources for ongoing counseling services.
• Provide age-specific appropriate assessment and counseling for patients and family support systems.
• Ensure timely and complete documentation to meet licensure and third-party payor requirements.
• Document assessment and/or plan in the medical record adhering to hospital policy, reflecting accurate psychosocial assessment, case progress, and plan of action.
• Conduct inservices on assigned units and attend educational seminars as appropriate.
• Complete continuing education units (CEUs) required for licensure within NASW timeframes.
• Conduct support groups as assigned and provide patient, family, and significant other education as needs are identified.
• Prepare statistical records, conduct monthly audits, and enter data as per department policy.
• Function as a member of the care management team by attending patient care conferences and multi-disciplinary team conferences.
• Keep staff informed of social work progress on open cases and notify appropriate personnel of updates and changes.
• Collaborate with members of the health care team to evaluate the patient/family’s psychosocial needs in relation to the medical situation.
• Continuously collaborate with the assigned case manager and prioritize referrals.
• Contribute to Continuous Process Improvement activities by offering innovative ideas to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the department.
• Collect data as requested by department head.

Requirements

• MSW from an accredited school of Social Work and field experience within a hospital setting.
• Recognize age-specific needs and behaviors.
• Adhere to NASW code of ethics and standards.
• Demonstrate competence in counseling and discharge planning.

Skills

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or equivalent licensure.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance.
• For patient lifts over 35 pounds or when the patient is unable to assist, use patient handling equipment with at least one other associate when available.
• Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Pay

Pay range: $30.70 - $46.05 per hour.

Benefits

• Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards, including competitive compensation and generous retirement offerings.
• Paid Time Off programs.
• Health and welfare benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Premium pay such as shift and on-call pay based on the teammate's job.
• Incentive pay for select positions.
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.

About the Organization

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience, and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health serves nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics, and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments, and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.