Social Worker

Summary: Assist patients and their families with personal and environmental difficulties which predispose illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from medical care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following; other duties may be assigned.

• Works in close collaboration with physicians and other health care personnel in patient evaluation and treatment to further their understanding of significant social and emotional factors underlying patient’s health problems
• Provides service planned to restore patient to optimum social and health adjustment within patient/resident’s capacity
• Utilizes community resources to assist patient to resume life in community or to  learning to live within limits or disability (ex. Nursing Home, Home Care)
• Prepares patient/resident histories, service plans and reports
• Witnesses advanced directives as appropriate
• Participates in planning for improving health services of patients through home discharge planning process
• Helps patient and family through individual or group conferences to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations
• Assists Case Manager with determines eligibility, obtains pre-certs and coordinates swing beds
• Obtains pre-certs if needed
• Provides education to patient/family re: Advance Directives/Power of Attorney/DNR
• Assists patient in filling out Medicaid forms
• Assists patients in filling out Social Security/Disability Forms
• Organizes the Chaplain program; serves as a member of the Chaplain steering committee
• Performs discharge follow-up calls
• Serves as Chair for the Ethics Committee

Supervisory Responsibilities                                                    

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies                                                

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Customer Service

Meets standards of behavior by using the ICARE moto; Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Interpersonal Skills

Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.

Oral Communication

Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.

Written Communication

Writes clearly and informatively.

Teamwork

Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

Cost Consciousness

Conserves organizational resources.

Diversity

Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment.

Ethics

Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

Organizational Support

Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization’s goals and values.

Judgment

Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Motivation

Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence.

Planning/Organizing

Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently.

Professionalism

Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Quality

Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Quantity

Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.

Safety and Security

Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions ; Uses equipment and materials properly; Compliance with all hospital and regulatory safety regulations and procedures.

Adaptability

Adapts to changes in the work environment; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Attendance/Punctuality

Is consistently at work and on time and does not have excessive absenteeism.

Dependability

Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Initiative

Seeks increased responsibilities; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation

Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education, Experience and Licensure                                                   

Bachelor’s degree (B. A.) in Social Work required, Master’s degree (M.A.) in Social Work preferred.  Experience in a supervised practicum in an in-patient healthcare facility.  Experience as a practicing social work professional preferred.  Must have a current Ohio License in Social Work.

Language Skills                                                            

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills                                                    

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 

Reasoning Ability                                                        

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk, hear or smell. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee will also be required to sit; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Infrequent exposure to chemicals, blood and body fluids.