Clinical Social Worker ER

Reports to the Manager, Social Services and the Director, Care Coordination. Works primarily in the Emergency Department, but will also provide coverage on Patient Care Units as needed. Provides emergency psychiatric screening assessments, crisis intervention, linkage to community resources and short-term therapeutic counseling to patients and families. Uses assessment tools and provides appropriate intervention(s) in order to provide and facilitate a plan to next level of care.

MISSION,

VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• 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.

Assess patients for potential need of emergency psychiatric services/placement by:

• Completing emergency psychiatric screenings and assessments for admission to inpatient or outpatient psychiatric follow up.
• Facilitating communication with physicians and other referral sources by obtaining appropriate releases of information.
• Initiating Emergency Detention Orders as indicated.
• Coordinating transfers to Epworth based on admission protocol.

Evaluates Needs And Provides Crisis Intervention And Short-term Therapeutic Counseling To Patients And Families Regarding Financial, Social, Home Care And/or Nursing Home Arrangements By

• Prioritizing referrals received from a variety of multi-disciplinary healthcare team members and taking appropriate actions based upon current workload.
• Initiating screening per Social Services protocol to identify potential needs for social work case coordination (i.e., transfer from another institution, age, diagnosis with potential for re-admissions or complex discharge planning needs).
• Working with community resources and agencies to facilitate a safe discharge plan.
• Facilitating emergency Extended Care Facility placement/admissions, or transfers to other hospitals including Epworth Center.
• Collaborating with appropriate medical, nursing and multi-disciplinary staff.
• Developing and coordinating a treatment plan based on consultation with the multi-disciplinary healthcare team, professional knowledge of treatment modalities, available resources, medical data and psycho-social information.
• Documenting assessments, interventions and outcomes in order to maintain appropriate case records and statistics in accordance with the Hospital's requirements and outside agency standards.
• Providing emotional support, bereavement, grief counseling, and resources for ongoing support services to families.
• Acting as an educational resource to staff and physicians to facilitate appropriate community referrals 24 hours a day.

Serves as a liaison between patients, families and the healthcare team by:

• Updating the designated inpatient Social Worker about patients admitted from ER and those who have potential social/financial discharge barriers.
• Assisting patients/families in understanding the psycho-social implications of diagnosis and complexities of the medical situation.
• Participating in and/or facilitating meetings with other members of the healthcare team in order to present case summaries and assist in recommending, developing and/or coordinating an adequate treatment program for the patient.
• Providing support to patients and families by frequent status updates, initiating appropriate contacts in a timely manner.
• Acting as an advocate for patient/family.

Identifies Patients Frequently Utilizing Emergency Department Resources For Primary Healthcare Needs And Facilitates Linkages With Appropriate Community Services And Financial Resources By

• Reviewing a patient's medical record and history of prior visits to obtain pertinent data necessary for evaluation of the patient's ongoing healthcare needs.
• Working with patient and family to provide necessary education and facilitation of linkages with community services and financial resources to address the patient's needs and/or problems.
• Assisting w/ linkage to health clinics, health professionals, and other resources to establish a medical home.
• Utilizing interdisciplinary care conferences as a mechanism to plan intervention for complex patients frequently seen in Emergency Department.
• Tracking, documenting, and identifying reasons for re-admissions to Emergency Department.
• Performing follow up phone calls / outreach with patients identified as needing follow- up with the care plan.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the…