Medical Social Worker Advanced Illness Management - Battle Cre

Medical Social Worker – Advanced Illness Management

Location:

Battle Creek, MI
Position Type:
Full Time – 40 hours per week
Sign‑On/Retention Bonus: $10,000

• Provide direct intervention with patients and families across the hospital, addressing mental health, suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, child/adult abuse/neglect, death and grief, crisis intervention, advocacy, and substance abuse issues.
• Conduct assessments and offer interventions for families and patients, including discharge planning and coordination with community services.
• Educate patients and families on available community resources and facilities; counsel on issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, child/adult abuse, and substance abuse.
• Collaborate with the patient care team—including external agencies—to determine the best course of action for each situation.
• Coordinate and manage activities to facilitate timely discharge to psychiatric facilities, substance abuse treatment, and other appropriate settings.
• Deliver care‑management and behavioral health services in ambulatory settings for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations; ensure access to community services.
• Administer behavioral health screenings, conduct detailed assessments when indicated, and provide brief interventions to support lifestyle and behavioral changes.
• Respond to crisis situations in the ambulatory setting, identifying high‑risk psychosocial needs of patients and families.
• Collaborate with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure understanding of the disease’s mental and emotional impact; provide culturally competent clinical services.
• Provide advanced illness/palliative care services to all hospital medical areas, maintaining and improving patient and family quality of life.
• Provide leadership in the organization through community education and development of resources, services, and programs to meet patient and caregiver needs.
• Advocate for policies that promote equal access to care for all populations and ensure high‑quality social work services.
• Maintain knowledge of NASW Standards for Cultural Competence and apply them in practice.
• Support interdisciplinary efforts, collaborate with providers, and assist in coordinating patient discharge and follow‑up care.
• Document each case thoroughly and enter appropriate information into the patient’s medical record.
• Participate in the development of departmental policies, procedures, and protocols; mentor and supervise students; and perform other duties as assigned.

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) and Licensed Master’s Social Work (LMSW) or Limited License Master’s Social Work (LLMSW) in good standing, or equivalent credentials (e.g., Master’s in Psychology with LPC/LLPC/LP/LLP).
• Full licensure within two years of hire, including completion of state-required supervision hours and licensing exam.
• Preferred 1–2 years of professional experience in healthcare or mental health; 4+ years combined experience in medical social work and hospice or palliative care required for the Advanced Illness Management specialization.
• Valid driver’s license in Michigan and proof of insurance for BAH if required.
• Basic word‑processing skills; ability to move around the hospital to meet with patients and families.
• Excellent human‑relations skills, including verbal and written communication, problem‑solving, advocacy, assertiveness, and empathy.
• Strong customer‑service orientation and effective interpersonal skills; ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts.
• Comfortable navigating EPIC or similar electronic medical record systems; ability to document comprehensively.
• Knowledge of NASW standards, cultural competency, and intersectional approaches in palliative and end‑of‑life care.
• Certification as Hospice & Palliative Social Worker within 12–18 months of hire for Advanced Illness Management roles.

Full‑time position with sign‑on and retention bonuses as stated. Additional benefits and detailed compensation details can be discussed during the interview process.