Care Manager/Social Worker - Rush Copley Medical Center

Position Summary: The Social Worker Care Manager assesses patient needs and coordinates and facilitates patient care through the continuum of services. Works with all disciplines to assure quality of care and judicious use of resources. Uses clinical expertise, problem solving and communication skills to achieve optimal clinical and resource outcome in an effective time frame. Promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, teamwork, and service excellence. Provides linkages to selected health resources across the healthcare continuum. Makes appropriate arrangements for care in a timely manner to ensure smooth transition between the patient’s care in the hospital and their discharge plan. Serves as a resource, plans, organizes and implements medical social work services with medical staff and other hospital departments including adjustment to illness/injury/rehabilitation. Proactively intervenes with patient/family to address psychosocial issues that affect ability to attain or maintain wellness and assures care is provided in a compassionate, ethical, and knowledgeable fashion that exemplifies the mission, vision and values of Rush-Copley in accordance with policies and procedures. Assures the highest degree of quality care is followed at all times keeping the care and safety of the patient population as a top priority.

Relationships and Caring
• Establishes a caring, therapeutic relationship with patients and families through effective communication, acknowledgement of patient/family perceptions of health and illness and mutual goal setting for optimal outcomes.
• Collaborates consistently and effectively with other disciplines and services to meet the needs of patients/families. Develops and maintains collaborative working relationships with area agencies and sub-acute facilities.

Critical Thinking
• Utilizes competent assessment skills to holistically evaluate the physical and psychosocial needs of patients and families, determines level of care needed, and coordinates care provided by appropriate disciplines.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritize care for complex patients based on knowledge acquired from previous clinical experiences.
• Recognizes changes in patient status and consistently responds effectively.
• Coordinates, facilitates, and obtains appropriate preauthorization for patient’s discharge planning and medical care.
• Assess each person’s psychosocial and health care needs, monitor effectiveness, and progress plans to achieve desired outcomes. Facilitate assessment of person’s psychosocial, financial, cultural, and family situation to address person/family needs. Serve as a change agent to address the needs of patients with complex psychosocial issues.
• Address readmission risks and work toward resolving any patient barriers that would result in readmission.
• Coordinate sustainable person-centered care plans involving internal and external providers. Align plan of care (current and anticipated) with available resources and proactively resolve barriers. Promote cost-effective quality care services.

Technical Expertise
• Assesses patient safety needs consistently and implements appropriate strategies (fall precautions, infection control, suicide risk, patient identification) to minimize risk.
• Individualizes teaching plans based on a thorough assessment to meet the learning needs of patients and families.
• Maintains working knowledge of community resources, financial assistance programs, reimbursement and insurance coverage to assure appropriate level of care and discharge planning.

Position Requirements:
• Masters prepared Social Service Degree with strong clinical expertise in area being served. Current LSW Illinois licensure.
• Knowledge of concepts and principles of Care Management.
• Strong leadership and role model skills to effectively assist unit staff and physicians in understanding managed care techniques and the value of changing practice patterns.
• Effective analytical, organization, written and verbal communication skills. High level of interpersonal skills for interacting with all level of professionals within and outside the organization.
• Self-directed learner and professional.

Licensure: Must be licensed and currently registered to practice as a Licensed Social Worker in the State of IL and expected to attain LCSW within 3 years of hire.

Experience: Knowledge of concepts and principles of Care/Utilization Management Hospital experience preferred.

PI254090450