Medical Social Service Associate LSW-McHenry​/Huntley Casual

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 all other 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 ures 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.

• Assess 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.
• Assist the patient/caregivers/family in understanding and working through bio-psychosocial and financial concerns as they relate to the patient’s continuum of care, rehabilitation process, behavioral health treatment, substance abuse, or medical treatment.
• Facilitate patient/family decision-making process for developing an appropriate treatment plan and coordinate with community organizations in order to ensure effective utilization of services.
• Coordinate efforts of patient, family, and healthcare professionals to develop a discharge plan for post-hospital care based on documented bio-psychosocial needs.
• Provide continuity of care through referrals and linkage to appropriate community resources based on identified needs.
• Ensure timely discharge planning and throughput initiatives. Coordinate 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.
• Determine and comply with payer requirements in order to ensure maximum coverage for services in the continuum of care.
• Assess patients for potential abuse/neglect and need for guardianship, take appropriate action, and follow-up with appropriate community agencies.
• Act as a patient advocate in all communications with internal and external systems.
• Provide education to patient/family in regards to effective use of community resources.
• Facilitate interdisciplinary care conferences and provide education on psychosocial issues.
• Work collaboratively with patient’s interdisciplinary treatment team to identify opportunities for improvement and implement best practice solutions.
• Provide 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.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status. Includes being able to interpret the appropriate information to identify patient’s age-specific needs.
• Complete appropriate documentation and facilitate discharge plan and treatment recommendations for patients. Communicate assessment and clinical findings to the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Provide psycho-education to nursing and medical staff on mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. Act as a clinical resource for Behavioral Health and Chemical Dependency services to the other service lines within Northwestern Medicine.
• Work collaboratively with medical and nursing staff to share necessary information regarding specific patient care issues and to coordinate intervention strategies.
• Participate in System wide initiatives on Social Service issues. Help to develop Processes and materials that support an understanding of these issues.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in provision of services to varied populations including pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients with a wide variety of medical diagnoses.
• Ensure prompt response to patient, discharge, and referral needs.
• Consult with the Attending Psychiatrist to determine if a Patient Safety Companion can be discontinued after the completion of a risk assessment when requested.
• Consult with the patient’s Attending Physician to determine if the patient needs to be reported to the Firearms Owner’s Identification Database (FOID) after the completion of a risk assessment.
• Remain apprised of evidence-based practices and maintain a network of professionals to exchange ideas and ben