Social Worker - ARH Advanced Care, Inc. - Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc.

The Social Worker/Case Manager is accountable for providing assistance to patients and their families with personal and environmental problems in order to maintain maximum benefits from medical and welfare services. The Social Worker/Case Manager is in frequent contact with patients, patient's family, physicians, nurses, chaplains, community and health agencies.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

• Performs assessments to obtain information on home environment, family relationships, and health history, and patients' personality traits.

• Evaluates data gathered for medical plan of treatment, available social service programs, and knowledge of casework or group work and devise pertinent therapy programs to provide maximum benefits.

• Assists patients and/or families through various conferences to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations and instructions.

• Coordinates and collaborate with physicians, provider, multidisciplinary team and other health care professionals concerning patient’s goals, plan of care and progress.

• Acts as patient advocate and participates in conferences on behalf of patients with other hospital personnel and community agencies.

• Provides, or makes arrangements for, advisory services on social problems,

• Arranges for discharge or postoperative care at home or in institutions.

• Provides and coordinates discharge planning and follow-up to assure continuity of care.

• Provides, or makes arrangements for, counseling services to attempt to alleviate anxieties and/or fears concerning disabilities, disfiguring illnesses, or an uncertain future and to assist the patient in returning to community life.

• Furnishes advice on financial assistance to patients or families during illnesses.

• Assumes responsibility and accountability for the discharge plan and effectiveness and patient outcomes.

• Performs or assists in studies and research projects concerned with problems occurring in the field of medical social work.

• Prepares various statistical and follow-up reports for use in planning further programs and evaluating department's performance,

• Participates in planning educational and social programs with community agencies, the hospital, and home health.

• Serves as consultant and resource person for other medical team members on the social and personal aspects of patients.

• Develop, implement, interpret and maintain work standards and procedures that are in compliance with ARH’s policies and governmental regulations and various regulatory agency requirements.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge in the field to allow recommendation of new services, products and equipment.

• Performs other related duties within the scope of the job classification as assigned.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Responsible for coordinating and directing the necessary social resources for help to the patient.

• Responsible for maintaining open channels of communication between the patient, family, hospital staff, and outside agencies.

Education

• Bachelor of Social Work Degree from a program accredited by Council on Social Work Education and licensure as required in state working; Masters of Social Work Degree preferred; OR

• Registered Nurse from an accredited program and licensure required in state working. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

• Two (2) years casework experience in health institution, child welfare agencies, psychiatric clinics and family counseling services preferred.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

· Knowledgeable and articulate about the post-acute process including various reimbursement mechanisms and regulatory requirements.

· Proficiency in Microsoft office programs, electronics medical record and financial information data bases, and other platforms needed to perform job functions.

· Strong verbal, written and critical thinking skills.

· Problem solving and conflict resolution skills.