Job Description

An MSW, currently licensed (if applicable)and registered in the state of practice, who provides medical social services within the scope of MSW practice standards in collaboration with primary care physicians and other members of the health care team and teaches and educates patients and their families. Medical Social Services in the home is performed under the supervision of the Administrator, Director of Nursing.

Organizational Relationship:

Reports to the Administrator

Occupational Exposure

Category

: B: Limited exposure to blood borne pathogens

Responsibilities:

Receives the intake referral information and prepares paperwork/tools necessary. Obtains all pertinent medical history from patient, family or significant others. Performs home safety check and environmental assessment of the patient's home environment. Performs the socio-psychological evaluation of the support systems available to the patient and documents necessary emergency contacts etc. Assists patients and their families with personal and environmental difficulties which predispose then toward illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from medical care (counseling members of the family to assisting patients with admission to a nursing home). Performs the skilled visit and documents accordingly. Provides supportive casework designed to restore patient's to their optimum level of social adjustment. This includes assisting patients and their families to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations. Assists patients utilize the resources of their families and the community at large. Resource utilization may include referring the patients to community resources or acting as an intermediary on behalf of the patients with other health and welfare agencies. Effectively communicates with patient and family. Keeps the patient informed ongoing. Effectively communicates with other disciplines in the case (case conferencing) to effectively and appropriately problem solve as situations arise. Communicates effectively with the Director of Nursing or Nursing Supervisor scheduled visits planned and changes to the schedule on a weekly basis. Caseload is self-scheduled but communication of the clinician's schedule is essential. Communication with the patient's physician (verbally and/or in writing) to obtain effective treatment modalities to effect the best means to obtain the desired outcome. Communicates in the case conferencing sessions to establish best practices for the individual patient's needs. Submits accurate, complete paperwork at the end of every week so that all medical records are intact and up to date. Uses the drop box if the office is already closed for the weekend. Coordinates Community Services that may be available to the patient to assist in safe home care needs. Understands that the fiscal and clinical management of each case is directly linked to the success of his/her office. Assures that visits are not done that cannot be billed. Participates in the QA Committee process as requested to do so. Notifies the HCSF of emergencies, sickness, and other imminent occurrences that may affect the patient caseload as quickly as possible relative to the event's occurrence. Submits written time requests 2 weeks or more in advance of planned time off.

Functional Abilities:

Must be able to travel to prospective patient's place of residence.



Must be able to hear and effectively communicate in English.



SPECIAL SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED: MSW



SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO BE OPERATED: Computer, office equipment (phone, fax, copier, tablet, etc)



SPECIAL EMPLOYER POLICIES OR LIMITATIONS TO BE REQUIRED: None