Clinical Social Worker; BMG

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,…