Integrative Care Social Worker

Basic Function :

The Integrative Care Social Worker will conduct psychosocial assessment of patients upon receiving a referral or request from the medical providers. They will include unmet medical, mental health, and substance abuse issues. They will provide integrative care to assist the healthcare providers with gaps of service that encompasses medical concerns, mental health needs, and substance abuse issues. The Integrative Care Social Worker will establish goals to assist patients in dealing with unmet medical needs, identify problems, assist the client and medical providers to address any mental health or substance abuse concerns. When needed, the social work will provide crisis intervention and or short-term treatment to patients with appropriate linkage to services or by using evidence based practices to help with symptom reduction and stabilization. The individual will empower patients to discuss with their medical providers, issues that may affect health and wellness. The employee will provide services at both locations.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILTY :

• Provides holistic care to patients by completing a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of needs incorporating spirituality.
• Assist patients with goals and objectives, encouraging ownership of their health and wellness.
• Identify and discuss barriers and issues that may affect health and wellness, mental health, and substance abuse concerns.
• Be able to address mental health and substance abuse issues by utilizing social work evidence-based practices in a healthcare setting. The focus is on identifying and filling gaps that exist within the medical, mental health, and substance abuse areas to improve the well-being of those seeking assistance.
• Assist patients with navigating complex medical systems, proving referrals to the case managers and other clinical care coordinators to assist when needed in scheduling appointments, requesting referrals and arranging transportation.
• Attend care plan meetings for patients to discuss goals and progress towards medical concerns, mental health and substance abuse issues as needed.
• Provide medical advocacy to complex patients with multiple comorbidities, including mental health and substance abuse issues.
• Provide support to patients to assist them with coping with chronic illnesses. Provide education and assist with referrals for other services.
• Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patient's medical or physical condition and to assess patient's need, this includes psychiatric services.
• Educate patients on chronic and terminal illnesses discussing options for end of life care, this includes utilizing evidence based practices to address grief and loss.
• Record social work activities and prepare reports as required, reviews case managers and other clinical care coordinator notes as needed.
• Coordinates and / or participates in community planning for essential services to meet social, emotional and health needs of the populations served by the SNHS, as well as combating social problems.
• Collaborate with medical providers, BHU staff, and other agencies within and outside of SNHS; be able to identify when a referral for more intensive treatment is needed vs. Integrative Care.
• Possess interpersonal communication and negotiation skills in interactions with patients, families, physicians, and health care team colleagues.
• Must be able to travel between clinic locations and local community agencies / providers. This can include travel during inclement weather.
• Follows all established SNHS policies.
• Performs other related duties appropriate to position as the need arises.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited school with a current unrestricted New York State license in social work, preferably a LCSW-R, (1) year supervised field experience, or being eligible to obtain a New York State unrestricted LMSW, LCSW, or LCSW-R licensure within the first (90) days of employment. Preferred that the candidate have a minimum (1) year experience in developing and implementing health promotion and disease prevention programs combined with education. Good working knowledge in evidence-based treatment of mental health and substance abuse in a primary care setting. Highly organized and able to develop organizational tools. Ability to communicate electronically, orally, and in writing respectively as well as concisely using Microsoft Office Suite, EMR Platforms, and data base systems. Valid New York State driver's license required to be able to operate a Seneca Nation vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

Position requires employee to use a computer for extended periods of time. Demands of the job also include but not limited to sitting, standing, driving, listening, observing, cleaning, writing, talking, ability to bend / pivot at waist (standing or sitting), lifting or reaching above / below shoulder height. Light / Medium lifting.