clin social worker

JOB TITLE: GeroPsych Social Worker/Discharge Planner

CC/Department: 6341/Geriatric Behavioral Health

Reports to: Director of GeroPsych

JOB SUMMARY:

The psychiatric unit social worker assists patients on admission and completes treatment plans per hospital policy. The social worker provides individual and group counseling, communicates with families and patient's authorized representatives, conservators, physicians and other health team members. He/She coordinates discharge-planning, assists with advance health care directives, financial and legal issues and maintains documentation of services in the medical record. The SW participates in the development and implementation of the comprehensive treatment plans, follows the discharge aftercare process, participates in the weekly reviews, and coordinates the discharge plan with the team.

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES (other duties may be assigned)

MISSION, VALUES AND BELIEFS

• Demonstrates the AHMC Seton mission, purpose, values and beliefs in everyday language and contact with patients, the public and other staff members.

QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF WORK

• Provides safe, effective and efficient discharge with the assigned patients in accordance with established policies, procedures and standards of care.

• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with patients and their families.

• Attends and participates in primary therapy, community meetings, family therapy, and groups.

• Assumes overall responsibility for discharge planning, including:

1. Assessing the patient's readiness for discharge in coordination with the Treatment Team.

2. Making appropriate referrals for placement, case management and aftercare services, as assigned.

3. Developing and maintaining an awareness of community resources.

4.    Provides consultation to patients and their families regarding issues arising from the admission, discharge and/or aftercare plan.

5.    Facilitates group therapy and education to patients and families.

6.    Follow-up with discharged patients within 72-hour after leaving the unit to ensure safety and adherence to the treatment plan. 

TEAM MEMBER PARTICIPATION

• Participates as a team member and provides input via reporting observations, concerns and asking appropriate questions.

• Reviews and implements patient treatment plans.

• Actively facilitates and participates in multidisciplinary team meetings and treatment planning meetings.

• Demonstrates knowledge of management of assaultive behavior techniques.

• Provides education/training to other team members as necessary.

ASSESSMENT

• Observes, records and reports patient social and psychiatric behavior.

• Completes the Psychosocial Assessment for assigned patients. This includes obtaining necessary data regarding the patient's social and psychological history.

JUDGEMENT, DECISION MAKING AND INITIATIVE

• Demonstrates knowledge and proper use of equipment and supplies.

• Promotes and assists residents in developing self-help skills.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

• Demonstrates a good rapport and cooperative working relationships with all members of the team; responds to co-workers with concern and promotes group morale.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

• Continually focuses on assigned tasks and seeks and implements improvements as necessary.

• Understands and demonstrates the safety program in all activities.

• Protects residents from behavior that could damage themselves or others.

• Practices universal precautions at all times

PLANNING AND TIME UTILIZATION

• Completes and follows through with tasks and assignments, meeting expected deadlines.

ATTENDANCE AND RELIABILITY

• Understands and demonstrates knowledge of all policies associated with attendance.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Attends all assigned in-service education classes.

• Role models excellent professional practice.

• Always dresses appropriately and professionally.

QUALIFICATIONS/JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

• Master's Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited graduate school preferred
• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field such as Behavioral Sciences, Psychology, or related field required

EXPERIENCE:

• One year of direct social service experience  preferably with mentally ill individuals in an inpatient or outpatient setting is required

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE

• Current American Heart Association BLS certification required
• Crisis Prevention De-escalation certificate (CPI) or AB-508 within 30 days of hire

OTHER SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE:

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team
• A thorough understanding of client rights, an understanding of the commitment process and knowledge of basic medical and psychiatric terminology
• Familiarity with behavioral health resources in the community is desired
• Normal or corrected near and far vision, in addition to non-inhibiting color vision.
• May read constantly for short durations throughout the day
• Constant talking and hearing throughout the workday
• Must be alert to patient condition and environmental situations
• Able to understand and follow all policies, procedures, guidelines, rules and regulations of AHMC Seton Medical Center.