Extra Help

Extra Help - Medical Social Consultant - Continuum of Care

Hiring Department: Continuum of Care

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1025178

Posting Close Date:

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Description:

Job Summary:

Report to the Director of Health Social Work and take direction from leadership under the Department of Health Social Work. The Social Worker provides counseling, comprehensive psychosocial assessment and related functions for patients identified as needing Social Work support or intervention. Serves as collaborative partner with the members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team to facilitate an appropriate transitional care plan. A progression of responsibility is evident in this series and ranges from simple, routine, and repetitive duties performed to duties that are complex and highly diversified requiring the exercise of discretion and independent judgment performed under administrative direction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Meets directly with patient/family to perform a comprehensive psychosocial assessment including social, emotional, cultural, mental status, environmental and financial circumstances in conjunction with an interdisciplinary assessment of the patient. Recommends a plan of intervention based on mutually established goals.
2. Conducts and documents initial psychosocial assessment, appropriate interventions, and expected transition in a comprehensive, clear, timely and legible manner, addressing:
a. Reactions to illness and different abilities, especially the chronically and terminally ill.
b. Adjustment to the medical setting and compliance with the treatment plan
c. Adjustment/coping with post-hospital/clinic care needs and linkage to community resources
d. Facilitates health care surrogacy and/or guardianship process, for patients deemed non-decisional by medical team, in accordance with Illinois Health Care Surrogate Act and hierarchy. Leads efforts to find family and/or surrogate decision maker for patients. Collaborates with complex service line and the legal department to file for Illinois state guardian when necessary
e. Coordinates groups for supportive interventions or educational opportunities
f. Addresses financial issues related to insurance coverage and payment, refers to Financial Case Management Unit
g. Conflict resolution, management of complex family dynamics impacting plan of care and discharge planning, coordination of complex clinical case conferences
h. Investigation, management and reporting of suspected abuse or neglect of minor children and vulnerable adults. Facilitates involvement of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS). Facilitates involvement of Illinois Department on Aging. Identifies, reports, provides intervention, offers safety planning, and documents cases of suspected Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence of adults. Facilitates involvement of Chicago Police Department when deemed necessary
i. Assesses for depression and suicidal ideation using validated tools. Addresses psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders
j. Provides supportive care for patients considered for hospice/palliative care and participates in family meetings to discuss goals of care and end of life planning
k. Address needs for patients who are unhoused
l. Performs assessments of the physical environment and adequacy of support systems to prevent a crisis and/or hospitalization.
3. Projects include but not limited to Social Work-related tasks:
a. Quality Improvement committees and other committees where Social Work involvement is warranted
4. Coverage/Training/Clinical Performance Activities may include:
a. Provide Cross Coverage to other clinics and inpatient medical units as assigned
b. Assist with training new staff and student interns
c. Assists in the collection and reporting of financial indicators including LOS, avoidable days, resource utilization, discharge barriers, cost per case, readmission rates and denials
d. Uses data to drive decisions and plan/implement performance improvement strategies related to social work for assigned patients/units, including financial, clinical, quality, and patient satisfaction data
e. Collects data for discharge delays, over-utilization of resources, avoidable days, and other data for specific performance and/or outcome indicators
f. Participates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of tools in collaboration with healthcare team
g. Assumes responsibility for professional development and social work clinical education requirements by participating in workshops, conferences and/or in-services
5. Based on Program needs, develop and lead Groups or education sessions
6. Provide any functions that may be considered appropriate to the role or services as a Social Worker
7. Maintains competency for Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Clinical Licensure (LCSW) and credentialing of program to allow for the ability to generate revenue under billing of services.
8. Psychiatric transfers
9. Other Duties as assigned
Inpatient and Ambulatory Medical Social Work
Manages discharge planning through placement coordination and resource utilization
a. Actively participates in the stages of discharge planning and ensures that the plan of care is coordinated, facilitated, and effectively communicated to the Physician, healthcare team, patient/designated caregiver(s)
b. Attends daily Multidisciplinary Rounds (MDRs) or Unit/Clinic based rounds
c. Utilize appropriate software to cultivate resources mapped directly from the Patient's medical, social, and cultural needs, insurance coverage, financial status, geographical preference, and physician recommendations
d. Coordinates action plans when barriers are present to facilitate resolution
e. Escalates to supervisor/director when barriers are present to facilitate resolution. Proactively identifies and resolves delays and obstacles to discharge. Utilizes advanced conflict resolution.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

1. Master's degree from an accredited school or university in social or behavioral science or a related health specialty area.
2. Based on institutional requirements for each position:
   1. Current State of IL Licensure as a Licensed Social Worker or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
   2. OR
   3. Three (3) years (36 months) of progressively more responsible full-time experience in social work in a medical/clinical or social service agency setting.

Note: Allow points for Level I experience if applicant indicates documented volunteer experience and points for Level II experience if applicant indicates part of practicum/preceptorship.

Preferred Qualifications

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

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