Social Worker, Home Health

Working title: Social Worker

Division: Home Health & Hospice

Program: Home Health

FLSA status: Non-Exempt, Hourly

Schedule: Part time, Monday/Wednesday/Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM, 24 hours per week

Reports to: Home Health Clinical Manager

Wage Range: $25.14 to $ 34.02 per hour, depending on years of experience and internal equity

RiverStone Health:

Serving the Yellowstone County community and south-central Montana for nearly 50 years, RiverStone Health is an essential provider of personal and public health services. Health, Education, Leadership, and Protection—HELP is what we do. From medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare to Home Health and hospice, public health services like immunizations, WIC, health promotion, and restaurant inspections, and educating the next generation of health professionals, our expertise spans all ages and stages of life.

Underlying principles of access, affordability, compassion and quality in all interactions, RiverStone Health improves life, health and safety for all communities we serve.

Home Health Program Overview:

RiverStone Health Home Health Services provides medical treatment for an illness or injury, to help patients recover, regain independence, and become as self-sufficient as possible. Home health care helps patients manage chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, pain management, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and provides personal care services. Home Health Services may be requested by physicians, the patient or family member, or a hospital discharge planner. Through consultation with the patient’s healthcare provider, Home Health Services develops a plan of care to meet the patient’s individual healthcare needs. The team includes nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, medical social workers, and certified home health aides.

Job Summary:

The Social Worker position provides individuals, families and groups with psychosocial support by providing information, counseling, referrals and other support services. The position provides onsite health, wellness, psychological and/or emotional support and services.

Essential Functions/Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Social Worker Services 95%

• Perform initial intake and assessment.

• Advocate for clients or patients.

• Educate and provide options and resources to clients to assist them in making informed decisions.

• Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate and assess patients' needs.

• Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in, or provide access to services.

• Assist with applications for benefits, such as Medicaid, Medicare, or disability programs.

• Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care, following through to ensure service efficacy.

• Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in the treatment or care plan.

• Identify impediments to client or patient progress or care through interviews and review of records.

• Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions.

• Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, working with, and supporting the client or patient.

• Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status.

• Conduct social research to advance knowledge in the social work field.

• Investigate abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary.

• Maintain accurate records of patient assessments, care plans, and interventions in compliance with agency and regulatory standards.

• Document progress and follow-up actions to ensure continuity of care.

• Oversee social work-related paperwork and recordkeeping with other resource organizations.

• Facilitate transitions of care, including hospital discharges, hospice care, or long-term care placement.

• Supports and models behaviors consistent with the mission and philosophy of RiverStone Health.

• Responsible for providing education addressing physical, psychosocial, financial, environmental and other needs of patients and families and/or significant other.

• Serves as a liaison between hospital, clinic and community agencies to facilitate the exchange of clinical and referral information

• Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to identify needs of patients and their support systems

• Provides timely referrals and coordinates with agencies/facilities to ensure services are in place to meet the patient’s and organizational needs to achieve continuity and quality of care

• Maintains current knowledge regarding insurance benefit reimbursement, community resources and ancillary clinical services to meet the needs of internal and external customers

• Adheres to department and organizational policies addressing confidentiality, infection control, patient rights, medical ethics, advance directives, disaster protocols and safety.

• Supports office functions as needed.

Non-Essential Functions/Other duties as assigned 5%

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of RiverStone’s mission and goals.

Education and Experience:

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of experience in social work in a healthcare setting.

• Any combination of experience and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in social work or related field.

Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid Montana driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain a calm and positive demeanor during difficult client interactions.

• Ability to display non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills.

• High degree of detail-oriented skill level.

• Knowledge and understanding of protected sensitive patient health information (HIPAA) and confidentiality.

• Ability to perform job duties with integrity and innovation to ensure completion and a high level of quality.

• Ability to understand and adhere to required administrative policies and procedures.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with supervisors, colleagues and client/patients.

• Ability to create, maintain and support a safe environment for open discussion.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule when the need arises.

Customer Service Excellence:

• Doing things right the first time

• Making people feel welcome

• Showing respect for each customer

• Anticipating customer needs and concerns

• Keeping customers informed

• Helping and going the extra mile

• Responding quickly

• Protecting privacy and confidentiality

• Demonstrating proper telephone etiquette

• Taking responsibility for handling complaints

• Being professional

• Taking ownership of your attitude toward Service Excellence.

Supervision:

• None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Majority of work is performed in residential locations.

• Standing, bending, sitting, lifting required

• Expected to drive a vehicle which requires sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, other vehicles, etc. Travel occurs in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.

• May be exposed to molds, pets, odors and possible unsafe conditions at some residential locations. Support is provided as necessary.

• Create and maintain a safe/secure working environment by adhering to safety, security, and health requirements. Integrates injury, illness, and loss prevention into job activities by attending any necessary training and implementing best practices.

Freedom to Act & Decision Making:

• Decisions directly affect the quality of services provided to clients and patients.

• Required ability to exercise discretion and make decisions in the moment.

• Work is structured by public health regulations and established medical practices.

• Communications & Networking

• Position requires continual written and oral communication with clients, patients, family members, community resources, colleagues, management, etc.

• Responsible for medical and non-medical confidential information.

• Daily written and verbal communication with patients, clients and RiverStone Health staff.

• Work directly with other team members to provide quality customer service for patients and customers.

Budget & Resource Management:

• The position is responsible for managing resources including time, equipment, and other resources necessary to deliver services.

Candidates will be contacted via email.

Behaviors

• Loyal: Shows firm and constant support to a cause
• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

• Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help