Job Description

Primary Purpose

Responsible for performing psychosocial screenings and assessments and implementing the psychosocial plan of care for patients to ensure the patient has sufficient resources and support services.

MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS

Education

• Master's degree in social work.

Experience

• None.

Certification/Registration/Licensure

• Must be licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Work.
• For Behavioral Health/Psych Services Only (Cost Centers 60630 and 89200)

Must have a current Heartsaver CPR course completion card within 60 days of hire and/or placement in job from one of the following. Current staff must obtain within 180 days from 4/19/2023:

American Heart Association

American Red Cross

Military Training Network

Must have Satori Alternatives for Managing Aggression (SAMA) certification, level 1-4, before first clinical orientation shift. Must obtain within 30 days of hire or placement into the job. Current staff must obtain within 180 days from 4/19/2023.

Skills or Special Abilities

• Must be able to communicate effectively with a diverse population of patients, medical and nursing staff and community agencies both orally and in writing.
• Must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of community agencies and services available for the special needs of assigned patients.
• Must be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and counseling skills.
• Must demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.

Responsibilities

1. Performs psychosocial screenings and/or assessments to ensure that patient needs are properly identified, and appropriate interventions are integrated into the plan of care. Assesses patient's 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, understanding of present circumstances and patient/family priorities/needs. Collaborates with the patient, family and multidisciplinary team to assure psychosocial needs are addressed. Utilizes review of medical record, interview of patient/family and consultation with the interdisciplinary health care team to complete screenings/assessments/plan of care.
2. Counsels patients and families regarding emotional, social, and financial consequences of illness and/or disability and other psychosocial issues identified. Provides crisis intervention and counseling for patients and families. Promotes patient and family empowerment and independence.
3. Participates in discharge planning activities. Implements psychosocial portion of plan to facilitate timely patient discharge and promote optimal utilization of patient and community resources. Provides planning for post-hospital placements including Home, Nursing Home, Rehabilitation, Shelters, Home Care, Hospice and DME requirements for safe discharge. Accesses and mobilizes family/community resources to meet identified needs. Intervenes with families with complex psychosocial needs and family dynamics. Educates patient/family and physician about post-acute options and addresses issues of choice.
4. Communicates daily with interdisciplinary team regarding status of discharge planning activities. Validates discharge criteria/plans for patients and families and notifies the interdisciplinary team of newly identified resources or changes in previously identified plans/resources.
5. Provides intervention in cases involving child or adult abuse/neglect (serves as liaison between Parkland and CPS/APS), domestic violence, guardianship (temporary/ permanent), foster care, adoption, mental health level II placement, and sexual assault.
6. Documents screening, assessment, interventions and outcomes to ensue effective communication per established documentation procedures.
7. Manages referrals and communications from a variety of sources such as fax referrals, calls, physicians, COPC Social Workers, Care Management Team, the health care team, community agencies, patients, families, etc. to ensure optimal customer service. Utilizes and/or refers to Patient Support Center as appropriate.
8. Maintains and implements knowledge of all rules, regulations, policies, procedures, laws and guidelines, including The Joint Commission, that impact the Social Work field and ensures that patient discharge plans are in compliance.
9. Maintains positive working relationship with management, vendors, other hospitals, employees, and community agencies to ensure effective communication among all patient contacts. Keeps staff informed, makes reports, rounds and frequent agency contacts to ensure timely discharge to appropriate setting and support.
10. Reports assigned data (i.e. services provided, Medicare stats, alcohol and drug numbers, adoption numbers, CPS/APS cases) as needed, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
11. Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.
12. Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements and trends in the field of Social Work by attending seminars or workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations and maintaining licensure in Social Work. Integrates this acquired knowledge into daily performance.
13. Serves on committees as selected and assigned. Participates in social work peer review, social work meetings and other efforts that promote quality and patient satisfaction.