Job Description

General Purpose of Job:

Resolve or minimize the social-emotional problems, resource deficits and continuing care needs of patients and families served by the Sparrow Health System to help them adapt within their available community resources. Provide education and consultation regarding resources, collaborate to develop a discharge plan and facilitate and monitor its implementation. Assist patient/family adjust to and cope with illness, diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis. A priority focus in transitioning the patient toward their next phase of care.

Essential Duties:

• Psychosocial Assessment and Interventions:
  • Conducts a preliminary risk screening, assesses patients and family's psychosocial risk factors through evaluation of prior functioning levels, appropriateness and adequacy of support systems, reaction to illness and ability to cope.
  • Performs comprehensive assessments of patients' medical condition, adjustment, support systems, finances, housing, behavior, cognition, abuse factors, function and abilities, legal, and substance abuse factors to identify issues, which must be addressed prior to discharge.
  • Intervenes with patients and families regarding emotional, social, and financial consequences of illness and/or disability; accesses and mobilizes family/community resources to meet identified needs.
  • Provides intervention in cases involving child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, elderly abuse, institutional abuse and sexual assault.
  • Serves as a resource person and provides counseling and intervention related to treatment decisions and end-of-life issues.
  • Develops long and short-term plans with the patient/family to address problems identified.
  • Provides emotional support to help patients cope with the disruptions and distresses associated with their illness/injury. Observes patient's right to self-determination and confidentiality.
  • Intervenes with problems listed but not limited to: Child Abuse, Adult Abuse, Substance Dependency, Suicide, Guardianship, Conservatorship, Durable Power of Attorney, Mental Illness, Adoption, Voluntary and Involuntary Committals.
• Care Coordination: Coordinates and facilitates patient care progression throughout the continuum.
  • A collaborative process that encompasses the following: assessment, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates the options and services required to meet the needs of the patient.
  • Works collaboratively and maintains active communication with other members of the interdisciplinary team to effect timely and appropriate patient management.
  • Proactively identifies and resolves delays and obstacles to discharge.
  • Collaborates with the interdisciplinary care team facilitating care for the designated case load; monitors the patient's progress with the appropriate interventions ensuring a focused plan of care and services are provided while providing high quality cost effective care.
  • Facilitates transfers to other facilities as appropriate.
• Utilization Management:
  • Identifies at-risk populations using approved screening tool and follows established reporting procedures.
  • Monitors and facilitates the length of stay and ancillary resource use on an ongoing basis. Takes the appropriate actions to achieve the continuous improvement in both length of stay and resource utilization.
  • Self-directed and organized to meet the needs of the patient and the health care team.
• Communication:
• Provides clear, concise, and timely written documentation.
• Communicate and provide information to post-acute care providers and payers ensuring adequate resources are provided to the patient.
• Communicates effectively and navigating conflicts with patients, families, members of the care team in a diplomatic and empathetic manner.
• Negotiation with clinical departments and payers, advocating for the patient; transitioning them to the next phase of care

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Job Requirements

General Requirements	* Licensed as a Social Worker in the state of Michigan-LMSW * Must be working toward full licensure-complete within three years in the position * BLS preferred * Certification in Case Management preferred
Work Experience	* Ability to interview, assess, organize and problem solve. Ability to identify appropriate community resources on assigned caseload and to work collaboratively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team and community agencies to achieve desired patient outcomes * Experience in acute care case management, discharge planning, utilization management, performance improvement and managed care reimbursement (preferred) * Social work experience in an acute care setting, preferred
Education	* Master's Degree in Social Work
Specialized Knowledge and Skills	* Maintains an environment that supports and encourages high performance and reliability through caregiver engagement, teamwork, and customer service ensuring safe quality patient-centered care. * Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. * Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting the requirements for mandatory/continuing education, skills competency, supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization. * Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement in interactions with physicians, payors, patients and their families. * Demonstrates ability to use a keyboard as may be required to perform the essential duties of the job. *Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word with 80% passing score