GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:
Reports to the Program Director of SBLEC or his/her designee. Utilizes professional social work skills in collaborating with other members of the medical team. To prevent or ameliorate related psychosocial problems. To ensure the patient-related and clerical functions of Social Services are executed in a timely and efficient manner. Resolves social, emotional and psychological problems of patient/family which may interfere with goals of the medical treatment plan by either working with patient/family directly or by providing advice and assistance to responsible staff members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF POSITION DUTIES:
- Refers patients to federal, state and city agencies.
- Interviews patients/families.
- Makes referrals for needed resources and services.
- Coordinates referrals from outside agencies to Southside Healthcare, Inc.
- Develops knowledge of Joint Commission audit procedures for ambulatory health care facilities and social services.
- Provides crisis intervention for acute situations, i.e., locating emergency housing emergency services, housing, etc.
- Assists the Performance Improvement initiative by developing and implementing Performance Improvement indicators with appropriate follow up monitoring.
- To assist in resolving psychosocial problems which may interfere with medical treatment or rehabilitation of the patient/family.
- Provides case management services and documents such activity in the case record.
- Maintains an updated file of community agencies and programs.
- Coordinates volunteer activities as needed.
- Makes appropriate community/home visits to better ascertain the patient/family environment.
- Prepares periodic reports on caseloads, visits, etc.
- Serves as resource person to other staff members by providing advice and assistance in meeting the social needs of the patients.
- Counsels’ patients referred internally in need of assistance such as housing, food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, SSI and other federal and state assistance programs.
- Contributes to the administrative planning of a social service department.
- Assures that a planned and systematic process exists for monitoring and evaluating the quality and appropriateness of patient care services and attempts to resolve identified problems.
- Serves as liaison between patients, their agency social workers (DFACS), employers, community resources, etc.
- Makes referrals to Protective Services for child/adult abuse, or suspected abuse.
- Prepares monthly statistical reports.
- Serves on various community committees as time permits.
- Provides on-going supportive maintenance to clients as appropriate and provide home visits and outreach calls where appropriate.
- May assist in preparing budgets and writing proposals for grants. Participates in intra-department and clinic meetings as appropriate.
- Responsible for continuing education to maintain and further develop knowledge and skills as well as to make appropriate professional requirements.
- Receives assignments on referral basis from various intra-departmental personnel, i.e., medicine, nursing, home health.
- Have periodic scheduled meetings with the Director or Designee to review progress and establish goals and objectives.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of agency policies and procedures relative to social work to provide services within approved parameters.
- Knowledge of eligibility criteria for federal and state services such as Medicare, Medicaid, Presumptive Eligibility, Advanced Directives, SSI, Welfare, Veterans benefits, etc. To assist patients/families to receive benefits to which they are entitled.
- Knowledge of community resources and facilities to make appropriate referrals to assist patient/family.
- Knowledge of counseling techniques to provide adequate counseling to patient/families.
- Ability to be compassionate, understanding and flexible.
- Considerable knowledge of the physical and psychological needs of individuals and families; of cultural factors and belief systems which may affect family lifestyle; of family dynamics; of techniques of interviewing a variety of persons to obtain needed and confidential information; of counseling principles and techniques.
- Knowledge of guidelines for the provision of protective services; of current social and economic conditions; of available community agency resources; of the legal system and the procedures for legal protection of clients, as patients, and Southside Healthcare, Inc., as a health care facility.
- Considerable skills in oral and written communication in a clear and concise manner; in providing crisis intervention; in documenting in the case record social services data, facts, observations, contacts, findings and recommendations; in developing service plans; in providing intensive case work services to clients including locating and coordinating specific services to meet client’s needs; in ready and comprehending material of varying levels of complexity.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Master degree in Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work. Should be licensed as a clinical social worker by the State of Georgia. Two (2) years (minimum) casework experience in a health care institution that has dealings, but not limited to, child welfare agencies, psychiatric clinic, and/or family counseling agencies. Knowledge of psychiatric and medical terminology. Ability to make decisions during crisis situations. Lecture/instruct/supervise social services student interns. Involves walking, sitting, standing intermittently during the day. Ability to drive a car is desirable.