Reports to the Practice Manager or Director. Provides short-term therapeutic counseling and crisis intervention to patients and families regarding psycho-social needs and concerns. Assists patients and families in understanding the psycho-social implications of diagnosis and the complexities of the medical situation. Uses assessment tools and provides appropriate intervention(s) in order to provide and expedite care which meets a patient's often-complex needs. Identifies and resolves barriers that hinder effective patient care. Provides assistance to patients who may require community services or social insurance programs.
- MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
- VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
- SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.
Provides short-term therapeutic counseling and crisis intervention to patients and families regarding financial, social and home care arrangements by:
- Reviewing patients' charts and conferring with appropriate medical and nursing staff to gather the pertinent data that is necessary for a comprehensive/holistic evaluation of the patient's ongoing needs.
- Interviewing the patient and/or family in order to obtain the pertinent medical, financial, social and/or psychological data that is needed to prepare the necessary biopsychosocial assessments for diagnosis and treatment.
- Collaborating with the appropriate multi-disciplinary healthcare team in order to ensure seamless coordination of efforts within the healthcare team.
- Developing treatment plans based on consultation with the multi-disciplinary healthcare team, professional knowledge of treatment modalities, available resources, medical data and psycho-social information.
- Involving the patient and family in care planning and treatment decisions.
- Documenting assessments, interventions and outcomes in order to maintain appropriate case records and statistics in accordance with Memorial Health System's (and BMG's) requirements and the standards of outside agencies.
Uses a variety of treatment modalities to provide services for patients with complex medical, emotional, social, financial needs, and other environmental problems, which are affecting the patient's illness, recovery and/or rehabilitation by:
- Providing or co-facilitating therapeutic counseling and psychotherapy sessions (individual or group) for patients and families.
- Assisting patients and families in understanding the psycho-social implications of diagnosis and the complexities of the medical situation.
- Participating in and/or facilitating multi-disciplinary healthcare team conferences in order to present case summaries and assist in recommending, developing and/or coordinating an adequate treatment program for the patient.
- Communicating with other BMG staff (such as the Healthcare Financial Advocate, Site Billing Representative and/or Medication Assistance Program Representative) regarding a patient's financial situation; also utilizing knowledge of available programs.
- Ensuring quality care is provided by identifying and helping to resolve barriers that hinder effective patient care in order to move the patient efficiently through the continuum of care.
- Assisting with the development and coordination of the patient's care during the course of treatment by maintaining continuous collaboration with the multi-disciplinary healthcare team members.
- Providing adequate follow-up assessments through telephone or personal contact with patients and families.
Actively coordinates and facilitates the development of a continuity of care plan for the patient by:
- Gathering information from a variety of sources, including multi-disciplinary healthcare team members.
- Referring patients and families to community agencies and resources in order to address the patient's needs and/or problems.
- Identifying patient and family needs for services and expediting the arrangement of services to ensure continuity of care, while also keeping quality of care and costs in mind.
- Acting as an advocate for certain patients in order to help them secure needed community services, financial counseling, social insurance (for example, programs for sick or disabled persons) or housing.
- Providing conflict management between patients and families or between patients and families and the multi-disciplinary healthcare team.
Takes appropriate action on referrals received from a variety of multi-disciplinary healthcare team members by:
- Gathering information in order to assess the needs of the patient (and/or the family).
- Prioritizing the referral as it relates to current workload.
- Contacting other healthcare team members to collaborate on the best method of providing care that meets the patient's needs.
Participates in appropriate community activities related to social services functions by:
- Providing consultation and education to agencies and groups when requested.
- Providing outpatient counseling to appropriate individuals, families or groups.
- Providing ongoing therapeutic counseling to support groups and team members when requested.
- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with community agencies/facilities, groups, etc. in order to be familiar with available resources.
- Attending community meetings outside the hospital.
Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:
- Staying abreast of recent developments in the field of expertise.
- Participating in Hospital activities and committees when appropriate.
- Serving as a resource to Beacon Health System and the community in area(s) of expertise.
- Completing other job-related assignments and special projects as directed.
Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:
- Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
- Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
- Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
- Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
- Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR), and other certifications as required by position/department.
- Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
- Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
- Complies with established organization and department policies.
- Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.
Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:
- Leverage innovation everywhere.
- Cultivate human talent.
- Embrace performance improvement.
- Build greatness through accountability.
- Use information to improve and advance.
- Communicate clearly and continuously.
Education and Experience
- The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of a master's degree in social work (MSW), including knowledge of current trends, developments, treatment modalities, etc. for patients with social and/or psychological disorders. Additional case management experience is desired. Must have worked in a setting performing essential hospital or healthcare social work functions for two to three years. Licensure (or eligibility for licensure) in the State of Indiana as a licensed social worker or licensed clinical social worker is required. The ability to speak and/or write in a second language is a plus.
Knowledge & Skills
- Requires the skills necessary to provide self-directed social work services, including therapeutic counseling and crisis intervention.
- Requires the clinical assessment skills needed to provide clinical problem solving. Also requires general knowledge of illnesses, current treatments and their psycho-social effects.
- Requires thorough knowledge of the community agencies, services, entitlement programs and resources that are available to assist patients and families.
- Requires knowledge of state and local adult and child protective legal mandates.
- Demonstrates the ability to maintain professional composure under pressure and the ability to effectively handle crises. Also requires independent professional judgment, initiative and well-developed analytical and planning skills.
- Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-specific care appropriate to the patients served.
- Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships. Also requires the ability to gain others' trust and cooperation.
- Demonstrates the interpersonal and communication (both verbal and written) skills necessary to counsel patients and families with psychological and/or social disorders. This also requires the ability to communicate in a tactful, sincere and effective manner with physicians, staff members and outside agencies.
- Demonstrates proficiency in basic computer skills and related applications; also requires the ability to access the Internet.
- Demonstrates the ability to maintain flexibility and a positive attitude.
- Demonstrates and maintains ethical conduct which is reflected by showing respect for the patient's confidentiality and the self-determination of the patient and/or family.
Working Conditions
- Works in a high-stress office and patient care environment with rapidly shifting priorities and competing demands. Also has some contact with patients and family members who may be under considerable stress.
- Requires the ability to work flexible hours to handle urgent situations.
Physical Demands
- Requires the physical ability and stamina to perform the essential functions of the position.
