MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Minimum bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work or a related field and possess a valid social worker license or be eligible for social work licensure in West Virginia.

EXPERIENCE:

Medical knowledge sufficient to understand the needs and level of care of patients.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Appropriately assesses patients for discharge planning needs based on patient's ability to make decisions, capabilities of caring for self and assisting with alternative arrangements for placement. Has knowledge of community resources and criteria for accessing. Demonstrates knowledge of process of Nursing Home Placement.

2. Patients are assessed for social and discharge planning needs as necessary, combining the appropriate communication with the department's other licensed social workers and other health care professionals to provide the most suitable social work plan of care.

3. Contacts APS for guardianship/conservatorship for adults who lack DMC where there is no one willing or available to serve as HCS and the patient has no MPOA are referred to DHHR.

4. Interpretation of social, psychological, and emotional problems is shared with the department's licensed social workers and other team members. Evaluations and recommendations are documented, as well as recommendations.

5. Assess patients for signs or symptoms of abuse utilizing age appropriate evaluation and coordinates appropriate referral and counseling. Knowledge of the laws regarding child abuse, neglect, adult abuse, neglect, domestic violence and rape.

6. When requested by the care managers or physicians, assess patients for psychosocial needs due to illness causing hospitalization based on age appropriateness.

7. Assists patients and families with end-of-life decision making, advance directives utilizing age appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and decision making capacity. Provides support on death and dying involving SIDS, fetal demise, sudden death and death of the terminally ill. Has knowledge of cultural and spiritual diversity.

8. Appropriate documentation of services provided by making concise entries in the medical record regarding the evaluation and plan of care.

9. Evaluates social, financial, psychological and family situations. Refers patient to sources of possible financial assistance where appropriate.

10. Is available to discuss issues with patients such as advance directives, long-term care, informed consent, and basic patient rights. Will assist patients in preparing advance directives.

11. Provides coverage for the DOQ & CM, when needed. Assess patient's medical necessity for hospitalization, makes recommendations to practitioner(s) and conducts IDT meeting.

12. Coordinates care transfer of transition care patients. Maintains daily communication with patient and/or family regarding needs, care plans, etc. Provides TCU patient with all necessary documentation (welcome packet, MIN, HINN-12) during stay.

13. Chair of bi-monthly IDT ethics committee meetings. Keep committee up-to-date with current/recent ethical concerns as well as case studies as necessary.

14. Conducts daily patient call backs to all IP & OBS patients through PCM. Appropriately documents patient's recognitions/concerns.

15. Provides support for the Director of Quality. Abstracts core measures as needed. Assists in data analysis and organization.

16. Provides Medicare important notice to inpatients within 48 hours of discharge. Follows protocol for when patient is discharged on weekend and/or patient unable to record. Follows inpatient Medicare important notice protocol.

17. Coordinates and compiles SS statistics and reports to DOQ on a monthly basis.

18. Maintains and updates community resource book as needed.

B. Financial Management

1. Demonstrates good organizational and time management skills to effectively balance patient treatment needs, documentation, and educational requirements. Manages time effectively to maximize the volume of patients.

C. Legal Standards and Safety Requirements

1. Follows hospital, state and federal guidelines for ensuring safe environment for workers, patients and public. Maintains and monitors staff compliance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures for safety, security, and infection control. Including privacy, patient confidentiality and HIPAA.

2. Ensures the facilities and equipment for patient services are maintained to promote comfort, efficiency and safety for patients and staff. Documents and reports malfunctioning equipment immediately to appropriate management staff.

3. Obtains work related continuing education as required for professional licensure

D. Service and Communication

1. Communicates and interacts with patients, families, visitors, physicians, departmental and hospital staff and the public in general in a manner that demonstrates professionalism and concern for the individuals' need(s).

2. Good working relationships are developed with community health, welfare, and social agencies. New resources from the community are constantly sought to meet patient needs.

3. There is participation in community social welfare organizations and planning as related to interests of the patient and the hospital as a part of the community.

E. Education

1. Obtains work related continuing education on a yearly basis. Utilizes that knowledge in the development and improvement of staff and treatments, promoting high standards of Care under the guidelines of the Code of Ethics as set forth by the National Association of Social Workers.

2. Remains current and responsive to changes in healthcare delivery, standards established by professional organizations, regulatory and accrediting bodies and the needs of the organization. Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs and current professional literature.

3. Actively participates in in-services, staff meetings, continuing education courses, hospital wide committees and other meetings as needed or required.

4. Assists in the Education and training of Social Work Students.

F. Quality Assessment and Improvement

1. Participates in Quality initiatives to help assess and improve the services provided and compliance with regulatory requirements. Reports results to appropriate administrative levels.

G. Performs other duties as assigned which support the mission and values of the organization

1. Willingly accepts assignments within scope of practice, skill set and level of competence.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Able to wear latex or vinyl gloves, with frequent changes and hand washing.
2. Able to tolerate working with and around noxious odors.
3. Use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse.
4. Answer telephones and transcribe messages.
5. Communicate verbally, written and electronically with healthcare personnel, families and patients.
6. May be scheduled to work various shifts based on departmental and patient needs.
7. May be required to travel between facilities/buildings. Work may be performed in acute hospital setting.
8. May be exposed to virus, disease, and infection from patients and specimens in working environment.
9. May be exposed to traumatic situations including psychiatric crisis, physical injuries and death.
10. Must meet Department of Labor's MEDIUM duty standard (MEDIUM WORK- exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly)
11. Able to bend, stoop, reach and be capable of normal rotation, standing and walking for an 11-12 hour shift.
12. Able to lift 40 pounds from floor to waist.
13. Able to ambulate, position, turn and pull up self-assisting adult patients.
14. This position may require unsupervised access to restricted areas that may contain medications, supplies and patient confidential information.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Flexible hours to meet the department needs

2. Some patient/community interaction

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

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