The Social Worker is responsible for providing basic evaluative, preventive, therapeutic, restorative, and personal care services to meet the psychosocial needs of Mercy patients and their families. The goal is to enable patients to better utilize medical care resources and achieve their optimal level of health. This role applies fundamental psychosocial theories and methods to individuals, couples, families, and groups, addressing the complexity of each situation. The Social Worker will provide services across the continuum of care, from pre-admission to post-discharge follow-up, interacting with individuals of various ages and diverse backgrounds.

Essential Functions:

• Social History & Needs Assessment: Obtain social history information and identify patient needs through interviews with the patient and family, reviewing medical records, consulting with physicians and medical staff, and contacting other relevant sources as needed.

• Psychosocial Evaluation: Analyze and evaluate the patient’s psychosocial situation, ensuring a thorough understanding of the patient's needs.

• Case Planning & Implementation: Develop individualized psychosocial case plans based on the assessment, in collaboration with the healthcare team. Implement the plan and monitor the patient’s progress.

• Discharge Planning: Coordinate a wide range of discharge planning services. Consult with physicians, medical staff, and patients/families to determine post-hospital needs and create a plan for post-discharge care.

• Resource Education & Referral: Provide patients and families with information on available resources and strategies for utilizing these resources. Assist with necessary referrals to appropriate services.

• Crisis Intervention: Demonstrate the ability to prioritize emergency and non-emergency tasks, providing immediate supportive counseling and necessary assistance to patients and families in crisis situations. Refer patients to community resources when appropriate.

• Psychosocial Counseling & Treatment: Provide psychosocial counseling and treatment services aimed at restoring optimal social and physical health adjustments for patients and families, within their capacity.

• Community Resource Knowledge: Possess knowledge of public and private welfare and health agencies available to serve the community. Make prompt referrals to appropriate agencies to meet patient needs.

• Financial Assistance & Insurance Support: Screen patients for financial assistance and help clarify insurance benefits. Support patients and families in coping with economic stresses related to illness or injury.

• Clinical Consultation: Provide clinical social work consultation to physicians and professional staff through patient evaluations, case conferences, in-service programs, and educational presentations.

• Community Liaison: Maintain relationships with community health and social service agencies, establishing effective professional connections through personal/telephone contact and correspondence.

• Documentation: Document all social work activity in the patient's medical record. Maintain records and reports in a timely, accurate, and qualitative manner.

• Interdepartmental Collaboration: Recognize the role of the social worker in the department and its relationship to the overall function of the hospital in patient care.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (required).

• Medical Knowledge: Understanding of medical terminology.

• Clinical Skills: Proficient in clinical interviewing techniques.

• Social Work Knowledge: Familiarity with social work principles, standards, and ethics.

• Regulatory Knowledge: Basic understanding of Medicare and Medicaid regulations, as well as child/dependent adult laws and regulations (desired).

• Training: Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to the population served, within three (3) months of hire.