Job Description

Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System?
At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care – a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It’s helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient’s needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.

Location: Methodist Fremont Health - Dunklau Gardens
Address: 450 E 23rd St. - Fremont, NE

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The social work designee supports the resident, family, physician and the interdisciplinary team in facilitating patient care with the underlying objective of enhancing the quality of clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. This position will be accountable for identifying and implementing the discharge plan for resident when appropriate from complex and at-risk populations. Works collaboratively with families, residents and the business office specialist on patients who have complex psychosocial needs that require assistance with eligibility determination for social programs and funding sources. Works with long term care residents within the facility as an advocate for the resident to ensure best possible care, quality outcomes and resident experience throughout their stay. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care that is appropriate to the patient as it relates to their emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs throughout their life span. Helps to facilitate operational accountabilities such as MDS, OPC, IDT and investigations as required. Supports additional accountabilities of the social work department as needed such as admissions, denials and discharge planning in the skilled environment. Reports directly to the Admissions Coordinator but has responsibility to the DON as this position collaborates with nursing service.

Responsibilities:

Essential Functions

Identifies, initiates, and follows through with complex patient discharge plans that will accommodate the needs of the patient.

• Makes referrals to post-acute agencies as directed by patient preference, level of care, insurance/coverage limitations and agency abilities.
• Proactively plans and identifies barriers for a sustainable plan at discharge and fosters early communication to all stakeholders.

Assists the patient and/or family with advance directives, power of attorney documents, and living wills. Facilitates conversation regarding end of life goals and wishes with residents/patients and families.

Collaborates effectively with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to develop and implement the care plan for long term residents of the facility.

• Attends multi-disciplinary round, IDT, OPC, family meetings, and effectively contributes to the meeting topic and/or care planning of the resident.

Works with a diverse population of patients including those in palliative care, hospice, the Emergency Department, dementia, and those with behavioral health diagnoses (list not inclusive).

Works with people of all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

• Identifies socially complex/high-risk patients, performs interviews and intervenes on their behalf.
• Assists the residents/families in financial matters in collaboration with the billing and business office staff such as Medicaid applications.

Strong interview, assessment, organizational and problem solving skills.

• Provides counseling to patients, families, and caregivers to ensure that optimum health benefits are met.

Documents in the medical record or MDS to not only provide record of accountability, but to inform and update the physician and other members of the health care team.

• Does so in a timely fashion to meet deadlines of compliance.

Participates in activities and other roles within the hospital and/or community that help to improve the quality and/or quantity of services available.

Performs job duties in a manner consistent with organizational and departmental safety policies and procedures.

• Effectively and consistently utilizes the principles of A.I.D.E.T when communicating.

Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Job Requirements

Education

• A Bachelor’s degree in social work. May consider Bachelor’s degree in public health or social services required.
  • Working towards licensure as a licensed social worker (LSW).
• Master’s degree (e.g., MA, MS, MBA, MSN, MSW) or equivalent (e.g., CPA, PE, etc.) preferred.
• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education preferred.

License/Certifications

• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) strongly preferred to have at time of hire, required within 3 months of hire.

​ Experience

• 3 years of experience as a social worker designee or like experience working with the geriatric population required.
• 2-3 years of experience as a medical social worker preferred.
• Experience working with the geriatric population within the healthcare environment preferred.

Skills

• Self-directed and an independent decision maker on many issues and interactions with patients and families.
• Socially sensitive to cultural, social, emotional and mental aspect of people and responds appropriately.
• Ability to work collaboratively with many other departments within and external to the organization and must do so with the mindset of cooperation and support.

Physical Requirements

Physical

• Character and scope of essential functions require constant sitting, frequent walking and standing, seeing, hearing, repetitive motion, and occasional lifting of general office materials typically weighing ten (10) pounds or less.

Environmental

• Essential functions are routinely performed in a general office environment and, as necessary, at various medical facilities/locations.

Hazards

• Employee must comply with safety and security requirements, and wear personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as requested or required.

About Methodist:

Nebraska Methodist Health System is made up of four hospitals in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, more than 30 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, and a medical supply distributorship and central laundry facility. From the day Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1891, service to our communities has been a top priority. Financial assistance, health education, outreach to our diverse communities and populations, and other community benefit activities have always been central to our mission.

Nebraska Methodist Health System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by Federal, state or local law.