Medical Social Worker

Job Summary:

The Medical Social Worker will provide assistance to patients and their families with personal and environmental problems to maintain maximum benefits from medical and welfare services.

• Perform assessments to obtain information on home environment, family relationships, and health history, and patients' personality traits.
• Evaluate data gathered for medical plan of treatment, available social service programs, and devise pertinent therapy programs to provide maximum benefits.
• Assist patients and/or families through various conferences to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations and instructions.
• Coordinate and collaborate with physicians, providers, multidisciplinary teams, and other healthcare professionals concerning patients' goals, plan of care, and progress.
• Act as patient advocate and participate in conferences on behalf of patients with other hospital personnel and community agencies.
• Provide, or make arrangements for, advisory services on social problems, arrange for discharge or postoperative care at home or in institutions, and provide and coordinate discharge planning and follow-up to assure continuity of care.
• Provide, or make arrangements for, counseling services to attempt to alleviate anxieties and/or fears concerning disabilities, disfiguring illnesses, or an uncertain future and to assist the patient in returning to community life.
• Furnish advice on financial assistance to patients or families during illnesses.
• Assume responsibility and accountability for the discharge plan and effectiveness and patient outcomes.
• Perform or assist in studies and research projects concerned with problems occurring in the field of medical social work.
• Prepare various statistical and follow-up reports for use in planning further programs and evaluating department's performance.
• Participate in planning educational and social programs with community agencies, the hospital, and home health.
• Serve as consultant and resource person for other medical team members on the social and personal aspects of patients.
• Develop, implement, interpret, and maintain work standards and procedures that are in compliance with ARH's policies and governmental regulations and various regulatory agency requirements.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge in the field to allow recommendation of new services, products, and equipment.
• Perform other related duties within the scope of the job classification as assigned.

• Education: Bachelor of Social Work Degree from a program accredited by Council on Social Work Education and licensure as required in state working; Masters of Social Work Degree preferred; OR Registered Nurse from an accredited program and licensure required in state working. Bachelors Degree preferred.
• Two (2) years casework experience in health institution, child welfare agencies, psychiatric clinics, and family counseling services preferred.
• Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities: Knowledgeable and articulate about the post-acute process including various reimbursement mechanisms and regulatory requirements. Proficiency in Microsoft office programs, electronic medical record, and financial information data bases, and other platforms needed to perform job functions. Strong verbal, written, and critical thinking skills. Problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

Work Environment: This position will be based in a healthcare setting and will require frequent interaction with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.