Job Summary:
The Medical Social Worker assists patients and their families with personal and environmental difficulties that predispose illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from health and medical care. Plans, organizes, and implements social work services to patients and families. Must utilize a growth and development knowledge base in the care of children (pediatric), adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Uses professional knowledge and a team approach to provide medical and social interventions for patients who are influenced by health impairments. Provides discharge planning services, emotional care, and advocacy, and maintains effective working relationships with community resources and services. Reports to the Director of the Medical Social Services Department. Responsible for working occasional weekends and being on call.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identifies patients/families that would benefit from Social Work Interventions through Care Management meetings and/or referrals.
• Interview patients/families within one working day of referral to obtain data on personal, social, medical, emotional, cultural, and religious history to delineate problems requiring Social Work Intervention and to plan appropriate services.
• Coordinates with the Case Manager and multidisciplinary team members regarding discharge planning and arranges for needed care in the home or alternate setting.
• Consults, assesses, refers, and coordinates interventions in cases of suspected or actual child or adult abuse and neglect or other forms of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse
• Actively participates and provides pertinent information in length-of-stay meetings and daily Care Management meetings on their units.
• Is accountable for managing the placement process into long-term care facilities. Reviews financial resources for long-term placement and provides education to the patient/family.
• Documents in the electronic medical record according to department policies and procedures.
• Provides coverage to designated units and the ER in the absence of the assigned Social Worker.
• Interacts with patients/families and colleagues with respect, sensitivity, and attentiveness to promote teamwork and cooperation.
• Adheres to department-specific and organizational policies and standards from external regulatory agencies and accrediting bodies (i.e. DNV, CMS, Department of Public Health, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned.

Performance Expectations: Performance expectations will be covered in the orientation and preceptor phases of your orientation to your job.

• Demonstrate the We CARE philosophy when communicating with multidisciplinary teams, patients, and family.
• Demonstrate the ability to document in EPIC.
• Demonstrate the ability to send referrals for home health and hospice.
• Demonstrate the ability to send referrals for nursing home, swing bed, LTACH and rehab through Care-Port.
• Demonstrate the ability to facilitate transfers to post-acute care providers.
• Demonstrate the ability to order durable medical equipment.
• Demonstrates knowledge of community resources by making appropriate referrals timely.

Education/Skills :
A master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work is required.
Work Experience: Prefer two years of social work experience in a health-related agency or facility; will consider a new graduate.
Certification/Licensure-DUE UPON HIRE
•Licensed Social Worker (LSW) as defined by Sec. 75-53-1 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, required
•A licensed Medical Social Worker is preferred.
Mental Demands: Ability to organize required tasks, cooperate with others, follow policy/procedure, and relate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and other health professionals, as well as the general public. Ability to initiate and guide others in the problem-solving process. Ability to become familiar with community agencies.