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Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

Job Summary

The Social Worker Case Manager II is responsible for the provision of medical social work services to patients receiving care in the hospital setting, including the Emergency Department. Assesses the social, psychological, cultural, environmental, and financial situation, as well as disposition needs for each referred patient. Collaborates with RN Case Manager, patients, families, healthcare team members, and community agencies to develop and implement plans to address identified needs. Evaluates effectiveness of plans and initiates change as needed. Responsible for assisting provider in assessing and evaluating appropriate patients for capacity determination. Uses crisis intervention, problem solving model, community organization, and advocacy skills in identifying needs and resources in the hospital and community. Responsible for assisting patients with confronting personal issues (e.g. substance abuse, mental health, noncompliance) and provide appropriate community resources. This position will come in contact with patients in the neonate, infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric age groups; Employees will perform clinical duties in accordance with population specific guidelines and adhere to National Patient Safety Guidelines. Provides cross coverage for all Social Workers as required across all settings in the care continuum, including weekend rotation (as needed).

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required

• Educational Requirements: Masters Degree.

• Minimum Experience: Three (3) to five (5) years relevant behavioral health, child and adolescent, medical social work, acute care or community development and resource or protective services experience.

• Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications: CCM (Case Management Certification) or ACM (American Case Management Certification) preferred

• Preferred Educational Requirements:

• Preferred Experience: Working knowledge and experience in utilization management, managed care, and payor issues.

• Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills; consistently exhibits a positive attitude

• Knowledge of state and federal programs that provide medical/mental health/substance abuse care and financial support to individuals. Knowledge of community resources

• Strong social worker assessment and counseling skills

• Ability to work with diverse patient and staff populations

• Ability to work independently and amicably in group situations

• Conversant with current thinking on professional conduct, ethics and practice

• Must have strong clinical assessment, intervention, and counseling skills across all age ranges; child, adolescent, and adult

• Ability to work with individuals of varying cultural backgrounds and socio-economic status

• Knowledge of CMS regulations, financial eligibility and admission criteria

• Knowledge of adoption and surrogacy policies and regulations

• Knowledge of all related case management and social work policies, regulations ethics, and standard work

• Demonstrates the ability to think 'outside of the box' and consistently create new, and effective solutions to today's problems and opportunities

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Participates in the continuous development of the NGHS Case Management / Social Work department as an active and enthusiastic team collaborator.

• Assesses, prioritizes and manages the day to day task load for the areas assigned.

• Conducts a comprehensive patient psychosocial assessment for all patients consulted or self assigned within 24 hours.

• Tailors the activation, intervention and community linkage for the patient based upon the outcomes of the assessment utilizing available resources and keeping in mind successful clinical outcomes.

• Participates in identifying opportunities for expanded use of the NGHS continuum.

• Acts as an advisor to the discharge plan, and manages the behavioral health, community resource linkage, and substance abuse aspects. Functions as preceptor to new staff.

• Works closely with the physicians to identify and implement clinical practice that improve patient outcomes and reduces healthcare costs.

• Identifies clinical/financial/social factors that can potentially impact patient outcomes.

• Utilizes understanding of CMS regulation and clinical factors to ensure effective patient care progression and outcomes.

• Adheres to required standards of Social Work Care Management documentation.

• Actively works as a team collaborator, promoting a positive work culture, and contributing to staff retention. Does not offer complaints, but offers opportunities and potential solutions.

• Utilizes brief assessment, motivational interviewing, SBIRT, and health behavior activation and intervention to improve patient understanding of their condition and improve chances of successful outcome.

• Acts as an advocate and assists in planning for patient safety in matters related to violence, domestic abuse, child or adult suspected or known abuse, neglect or exploitation.

• Works with community collaborative partners across the spectrum of care to develop effective care transitions and optimal care pathways to support patients. Promotes effective care transition standards and collaboration across the spectrum of care.

• Conducts clinical and psychosocial assessment and intervention for positive outcomes, with substantive knowledge of the following: motivational interviewing, brief assessment and health behavior intervention/activation, crisis and trauma address, domestic violence, adult and child neglect, abuse, and exploitation., adjustment to illness and coping, goals of care and advance directives, maternal/child/family health and welfare, mental health, substance abuse and SBIRT, legal issues related to surrogacy and guardianship, issues related to immigration and undocumented status, among other aspects of the Licensed Social Worker role.

• Performs assessment and evaluation to determine patient capacity to make a safe, informed decision related to patient's treatment or discharge plan in accordance with hospital policy.

• Performs all projects and work assigned by Director and Manager in a professional manner, meeting the requirements of the task as set forth.

• Executes daily triage, prioritization, address of complex patient needs, problem resolution and responds in a timely manner to queries.

• Performs role specialized in focus to area of practice as directed by Manager or Director (for example, readmission diversion and intervention for frequent ED utilizers to assist them in utilizing most appropriate setting in the Emergency Department ; intervention/prevention efforts for post partum depression, and parenting skill assessment and supports in Labor and Delivery unit).

• Promotes individual professional growth and development by assisting the Manager in providing mandatory/continuing education, skills competency, supporting department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor, and resource to less experienced staff.

• May assist Manager in educating, orienting, and staff development, as a preceptor as well as assisting staff in problem resolution on other non-assigned cases at the direction of the Educator, Manager or Director.

• Consistently demonstrates a 'sense of urgency' in his/her work, while mindful of the pillars and financial stewardship opportunities.

• Performs clinical duties in accordance to NASW Code of Ethics.

• Works all scheduled shifts, including weekend rotation, remote coverage and on-call schedule.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 20 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Vision: Moderate, Constantly 66-100% of time

• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Occasionally 0-30%

• Standing/Walking: Frequently 31-65%

• Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally 0-30%

• Intensity of Work: Occasionally 0-30%

• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.