Social Service Associate-McHenry​/Huntley Casual

Social Service Associate‑McHenry/Huntley Casual Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient‑first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees.

The Social Service Associate reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards. The Social Service Associate provides quality support, psycho‑education, supportive counseling, advocacy, and linkage to community resources.

• Completes Care Coordination Assessment within 24 hours of Order to assist with throughput.
• Collaborates with the Interdisciplinary Team to assist with patient satisfaction and discharge plan.
• Ensures discharge plan is initiated at admission.
• Ensures patient is discharged with appropriate referrals so can successfully move within the healthcare continuum and prevent re-admission.
• Is concerned about the perception of patients, families, and the community regarding Northwestern Medicine's Healthcare System.
• Services are focused on addressing behavioral, social, financial, and environmental issues in order to achieve optimum clinical quality, patient satisfaction, and cost effectiveness of care.
• Assesses patients to gather data for bio-psychosocial assessment upon admission and conducts re-assessments as needed.
• Assessments accurately reflect relevant age-specific and cultural-specific factors.
• Assists the patient/caregivers/family in understanding and working through bio-psychosocial and financial concerns as they relate to the patients continuum of care, rehabilitation process, behavioral health treatment, substance abuse, or medical treatment.
• Facilitates patient/family decision‑making process for developing an appropriate treatment plan and coordinates with community organizations in order to ensure effective utilization of services.
• Coordinates efforts of patient, family, and healthcare professionals to develop a discharge plan for post‑hospital care based on documented bio‑psychosocial needs.
• Provides continuity of care through referrals and linkage to appropriate community resources based on identified needs.
• Ensures timely discharge planning and throughput initiatives.
• Coordinates post‑hospitalization and/or rehabilitation services that may include, but are not limited to home health, home medical equipment, transportation, inpatient behavioral health placement, and nursing home placement.
• Determines and complies with payer requirements in order to ensure maximum coverage for services in the continuum of care.
• Assesses patients for potential abuse/neglect and need for guardianship, takes appropriate action, and follows‑up with appropriate community agencies.
• Acts as a patient advocate in all communications with internal and external systems.
• Provides education to patient/family in regards to effective use of community resources.
• Facilitates interdisciplinary care conferences and provides education on psychosocial issues.
• Works collaboratively with patients interdisciplinary treatment team to identify opportunities for improvement and implement best practice solutions.
• Provides brief, supportive psychotherapy to patient and family at bedside when appropriate, to assist with management of symptoms and engage patient in treatment while hospitalized for medical concerns.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patients status. Includes being able to interpret the appropriate information to identify patients age‑specific needs.
• Completes appropriate documentation and facilitates…