Description $5,000. Sign on Bonus The Social Worker is responsible for providing for Social Services activities of the hospital. The social worker demonstrates competence in providing services to the following populations: geriatric, adult, adolescent, pediatrics, mother and infant/newborn. The social worker coordinates discharge planning with the assistance of Director of Case Management when necessary. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS • Consults with physicians, nurses, and ancillary staff concerning patient discharge needs, prognosis, and services required to ensure continuity of care. • Interviews patients/families to provide a comprehensive psychosocial assessment to patients with complex psychosocial problems. • Implements and coordinates the discharge plan, as consulted, to allow for a smooth transition from the Hospital so there is little interruption of continued health care services. • Assists patients and families in arranging for home care services, including visiting nurses, home care, homemaker, and medical needs as appropriate. • Arranges transportation as indicated to facilitate patient transfer. • Makes referrals as appropriate to Adult or Child Protective Service for suspected abuse or neglect, to ensure that the safety and needs of the patient are being met. • Assists the patient/family in obtaining additional medical coverage as appropriate for patient’s needs. • Prepares for and participates in regular discharge planning conferences on assigned nursing units for the purpose of updating discharge needs and establishing referrals. Identifies barriers affecting a safe and timely plan. • Documents each Social Service intervention in the patient’s electronic medical record in a timely manner. • In the absence of the case manager, will perform duties and responsibilities of Director, Case Management. • Ability to assess the appropriateness of the patient, physician, and staff requests for service and responds courteously and professionally. • Demonstrates the ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of patient needs appropriately for the age of the patients served. • Demonstrates appropriate knowledge of growth and development characteristics for the age of the patient served. • Keeps abreast of current federal and state regulations specific to Social Services. Is familiar with JCAHO Standards applicable to areas of responsibility. • Ability to function autonomously and able to handle constant change. • Ability to problem solve, is innovative, and think “big picture.” • Ability to educate various healthcare professionals and customers • Assists with MaineCare applications as appropriate. • Assists with financial applications when appropriate. • Serves as an advocate for patients and families. • Acts as a liaison to post-hospital providers. • Acts as a liaison with community resources and families. • Ability to educate various healthcare professionals and customers. • Confers with case manager/chief nursing officer for direction when needed. • Complies with CEU requirements to maintain license. • Rotating call for after hours, weekends, and holidays. • Seeks out needed information by staying informed and involved by attending meetings, reading memos, policies, meeting minutes, newsletters, email and other appropriate information in a timely manner. • Reliable attendance and punctuality, including observing appropriate break times and extending a scheduled shift when necessary to meet patient demands • Performs duties in a safe manner, in compliance with all safety policies and procedures • Complies with the Code of Conduct and all appropriate policies and procedures • Other duties, as assigned, that are relevant to the position and department Requirements Minimum Education • Holds a current license in Social Work in the State of Maine • High School Diploma Minimum Work Experience • Preferred three years of experience in hospital social work Required Skills • Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, excellent psychosocial assessment skills with the ability to interpret key information, basic computer skills to include Micrsoft Work and Microsoft Excel. • Working knowledge of medical terminology, knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid rules and regulations, knowledge of community resources and availability to patients/families and eligibility guidelines. • Ability to prioritize tasks and manager time effectively due to involvement with multiple patients/families, projects, and outside agencies. Ability to work independently, interfacing with other department and outside agencies. • Ability to function autonomously and able to handle constant change. • Ability to problem solve, is innovative, and thinks "big picture." • Ability to educate various healthcare professionals and customers.