Social Worker IV/LCSW

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center

Department: Cancer Care - Brewer

Position is located: Lafayette Building

Work Type: Full Time



FTE:
hours)

Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Summary:

Clinical social work services within limits of SW license emphasis on service delivery to adults (and their families) facing cancer or chronic blood disorder while receiving medical care (radiation and/or chemotherapy) in the outpatient oncology setting.

Role includes client centered SW assessment, goal, plan and intervention; crisis intervention; resource and continuing care referral; support / education group service.

SW role supports team in management of client care needs team based communication is an integral part of the job.

Responsibilities:

PEOPLE

• Serves as a resource to hospital staff and physicians concerning social issues.
• Considers the unique needs of the patient/family (cultural, religious, age-specific, etc.), when planning interventions.
• Collaborates with Care Manager and multidisciplinary team to plan and implement complex patient discharge plans
• Communicates effectively with the health care team to implement the plan of care in a maximally efficient and effective manner.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, care manager and other members of the health care team.
• Exhibits excellent interpersonal communication skills. Effectively collaborates with patients and families informed about social work interventions and plans.
• Informs other members of the health care team about interventions by entering accurate progress notes. Ongoing progress notes are documented per department policy.
• Works collaboratively with department team members to address and communicate their patient needs.
• Maintains effective working relationships with community agencies and nursing facilities.
• Provides patient advocacy by ensuring that the patient and family's needs and interests are represented in the care plan.
• Represents the patient/family's interest when collaborating with members of the health care team
• Initiates multidisciplinary meetings with families and patients when requested or when the goals of the health care team members and the patient/family are not mutually acceptable.
• Recognizes and is able to comfortably address conflict
• Maintains expert knowledge of patient rights, including advance directives and rights to self-determination.
• Maintains knowledge of State Regulation regarding child and adult abuse.
• Refers appropriately to domestic abuse advocate.
• Refers patients and family concerns to appropriate resources.
• Advocates for patient/family needs when necessary to external agencies
• Communicates identified problems and potential solutions regarding delivery of services and Discharge Planning to the healthcare team.
• Openly and honestly reviews peers in an effort to positively influence change.
• Serves as a resource to hospital staff and physicians concerning social issues (i.e., APS, CPS, Domestic Violence, DPOA).

SERVICE

• Interfaces with other community agencies on behalf of the Patient.
• Provides appropriate counseling/support and concrete services to patients and families throughout hospitalization, as evidenced by entries in the medical record.
• Provides effective crisis intervention to patients and/or families when indicated.
• Provides identification of needs and complex discharge planning
• Patients with complex discharge planning needs are identified prior to or at the time of admission or at anytime during the acute care stay
• Gathers information necessary to identify the patient's care needs and resources available to meet the needs.
• Coordinates patient/family education regarding discharge needs/plans
• In collaboration with the healthcare team, will identify discharge planning barriers and coordinate with the interdisciplinary team to resolve the issues.
• Continuously assesses and re-evaluates as the patient's plan of care progresses
• to identify changes in the patient's needs and potential complications which may alter the discharge plan
• The evolving discharge plan is communicated to physicians and the interdisciplinary team.
• Discharge occurs when interventions, education, and the discharge plan is completed

Service:
Acute Rehabilitation Specific

• Provides identification of needs and complex discharge planning

for the Acute Rehab Patient

• Updates original assessment of patient's admission to Rehab as appropriate.
• Assists with patient's need for MaineCare or Social Security Disability benefits when indicated.
• Assists in resolving differences between patient and family's and rehab team's expectations.
• Documents progress notes in electronic medical record in a timely manner.
• Schedules and facilitates conferences as determined by the rehab team.
• Posts for rehab team the name and fax number of service providers receiving patient referrals
• Documents discharge location for FIM.
• Provides information to patient and family regarding disability, its impact and coping strategies
• Reinforces medial information provided by health care team to patient and family.
• Contacts family member about teaching if designated in team conference.
• Participates in weekly rehab team conferences
• Effectively facilitates plans for continuing care services

QUALITY

• Provides appropriate assessments and develops a social work plan of care for patients in his/her caseload.
• Plans, implements and evaluates* interventions designed to assist patients with psychosocial and Care Management elements of healthcare
• Performs accurate, age-appropriate and timely assessments within for caseload through chart review and interview with the patient and or caregiver.
• Assessments are holistic in nature and consistently address the patient's physical condition, psychosocial and emotional health, support systems, and financial resources and other environmental issues related to achieving desired outcomes.
• Accurately evaluates the progress of the patient/family as needed and with the health care team.
• Successfully and creatively employs negotiation skills to obtain the resources necessary to meet the established patient care needs
• Constructively participates in EMMC committees, as appropriate.
• Recognize and intervene to address opportunities to improve delivery of services at EMMC as appropriate.
• Independently implements social work services in an accurate, safe and timely manner
• Initiates or participates in development of proposals for new programs work processes, etc., designed to improve the delivery of services
• Demonstrates accountability for job responsibilities and actions taken by being proactive and completing assignments thoroughly and in a timely manner
• Seeks assistance/ guidance and communicates directly with Supervisor when issues or needs for process changes are identified
• Maintains knowledge of and participates in department and hospital wide performance improvement activities as requested.
• Utilizes available time to participate in QI, complete special projects as assigned.
• Uses work time in a professional and responsible manner.
• Completes annual I Care training per EMMC policy.
• Possesses knowledge of Social Work principles and practices.
• Possesses knowledge of community health, welfare, and social agencies.

FINANCE

• Works to avoid clinically unnecessary hospital days when facilitating discharges
• Works with the healthcare team to promote continuous process improvement toward the goal of efficiency, cost effectiveness, and the highest level of clinical excellence.
• Maintains knowledge of and compliance with laws, regulations (federal and state)

GROWTH

• Seeks and engages in opportunities to advance own professional development (grand rounds, educational conferences, professional organization membership, committee participation, etc.)
• Keeps up-to-date with department activities by regularly reviewing posted communications and reviewing mail.
• Demonstrates flexibility/adaptability in work load and organizational changes
• Attends all mandatory department and EMMC in-service training programs.
• Attends scheduled department meetings.
• Reads and Initials 100% of posted meeting minutes and/or mandatory memos
• Obtains a minimum of 25 contact hours per/2 years . Four hours must be in the area of Social Work Ethics as required by Maine state licensing.

Competencies and skills:


Essential:

• Behaves with Integrity and

Builds Trust:
Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.

• Demonstrates Adaptability: Learns quickly when facing a new problem or unfamiliar task; is flexible in their approach with changing priorities and ambiguity. Manages change effectively and does not give up during adversity. Capable of changing one's behavioral style and/or views in order to attain a goal. Absorbs new information readily and puts it into practice effectively.
• Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level.
• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.

* No previous experience required.

• Resolves Conflict: Promptly acts to find alternatives/solutions when team members disagree. Addresses issues in a direct, honest, and appropriate manner. Handles conflicting interests diplomatically and helps to solve them. Transforms difficult situations into teachable moments using respect and accountability .
• Utilizes Resources Effectively: Understands how to get the most out of available resources and uses cost-benefit thinking in decision-making and in setting priorities. Monitors and analyzes resource usage to identify and eliminate areas of waste and maximize resources. As a leader, defines targets and provides appropriate means; oversees progress and makes adjustments when necessary. Appropriately delegates work, sets clear direction and manages workflow and time.

Credentials:


Essential:

Licensed Clinical Social WorkerEducation:


Essential:

Master's Degree
Working conditions:


Essential:

• Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.
• Potential exposure to diseases or infections.
• Need to drive to perform responsible duties.
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials.
• Potential exposure to noise levels being uncomfortable.
• Potential exposure to noxious odors.
• Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.
• Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.
• Lifting, moving and loading 20 to 30 pounds.
• Continuous sitting.
• Alternate shift schedules (day, evening, nights, weekends).
• Continuous standing.
• Continuous walking.

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