Social Worker - NHC Place Sumner

Social Worker for NHC Place Sumner

NHC Place Sumner is looking for a Social Worker to join our team. The qualified applicant for this position should hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in social work from an accredited program, and have knowledge of the case management process and needs of geriatric patients, including funding resources.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in dealing with people in crises is preferable.
• Knowledge of the case management process, needs of geriatric patients, health care settings, working knowledge of funding resources such as Medicare Part A, B, C and D, Medicaid, Managed Care and other private insurances.
• Imagination and creative ability, skill in working cooperatively with other professionals, ability to organize and carry out responsibility efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately both verbally and in writing in a wide variety of circumstances.
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the center.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment where procedures cannot be standardized.
• Ability to attend annual NHC sponsored social work conferences. These conferences may be out of town and require overnight stays.
• Dedicated totally to the success of the center and The Better Way culture.
• Degree Requirements:
  • Prefer Master’s degree in Social Work from school or university accredited by the council on Social Work education or
  • Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from accredited college or university or
  • Other related human services field degree.

Working Conditions:

• Interacts with general public under all conditions. Much of the work involves difficult circumstances, patient and families in emotional distress, severe illness, dying, death and grief, confusion, combativeness, ill-temper, etc.
• Must be alert to possible injury, changing conditions in patients, and appropriate responses.
• Constant pressure to respond maturely and effectively with patients, families, other staff and other professionals.
• Must appropriately represent center in dress and demeanor per the partner handbook and any written regional policy.

DUTIES:

General Description:

• In the absence of the Admissions Coordinator, this position will be able to coordinate admissions to the center, including handling inquiries either over the phone or in person; and conduct a needs assessment of the patient seeking admission and consideration of alternatives, if center is not capable of meeting these needs.
• Share current information available about funding resources.
• Work with individual patients and families toward adjustment to center life and to crises of illness, disability, and death.
• Serve in an advocacy role for patients and their families in expressing, defining and resolving grievances.
• Coordinate discharge planning functions.
• Participate in developing patient care plans in cooperation with individuals from other disciplines.
• Participate in in-service training programs.
• Evaluate the quality of social services as part of the center’s overall quality improvement program.
• Develop and maintain contacts with appropriate community agencies.
• Handle some marketing activities/functions assigned by SWS Department Head.
• Other duties which may be assigned by Director of Social Work Services.

Admission:

• Interview and develop trusting relationship with applicants and their families.
• Obtain accurate, relevant information to be used in determining appropriateness of placement.
• Serve as liaison with hospital, family, and patient in effecting admission or in assisting in arranging alternative placement.
• Provide family and patient with accurate, up to date information regarding funding resources such as Medicare Part A, B, C and D, Medicaid, and Private insurances.
• Understand closing techniques and procedures and when designated by the Director of Social Work Services, participate in closing a sale (admission).

Inquiry Management: (In the absence of the Admissions Coordinator)

• Be available to take inquiries at all times.
• Obtain sufficient information for compilation of official waiting list, following state regulations for maintenance of waiting list, if applicable.
• Maintain appropriate documentation for waiting list, if applicable.
• Maintain professional working relationship with area hospitals, keeping them currently apprised of services available and criteria for admission.
• Stay in contact with families on inquiry list to assess current status or as required by State regulations.

Room Assignments:

• Participate in room assignment decisions.
• Notify patients and families of room change decisions.
• Notify departments involved in room changes.
• Document Room Changes.

Medical Records:

• Document, clearly and legibly, 24 hour social work assessment for new admissions (see specific instructions and format in the Social Work Services Manual).
• Prepare and document the Social Work Psychosocial Assessment/History within required time frames.
• Document reports of progress at required intervals.
• Participate in preparation of Admission Summary Sheet and Patient “MDS Form”.
• Discharge Follow-up reporting as applicable.

Patient Care Planning Conference:

• Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Prepare for PCP conference with evaluation complete, including problems identified, goals, and approaches
• Participate in patient care planning conference.
• Coordinate discharge planning as agreed upon by patient, family and care plan team.
• Assume organizational or leadership roles for conferences as needed.
• Appropriately advise families and patients of plan of care.

Ombudsman:

• Inform patient and family of patient’s rights and advance directives.
• Maintain relationship with patient and family in order to facilitate early identification of potential problems.
• Maintain close working relationship with all other departments in appropriately resolving grievances.
• Identify and report trends or patterns of complaints to the Director of Social Work Services.
• Keep appropriate written records of grievances, to whom reported, and how resolved.
• Establish, maintain, and record minutes of Family Council (as appropriate).
• Manage difficult or emotional customer situations.

Case Management with patients and families:

• Respond to immediate need of any patient or family referred by floor staff, DON, therapists, administrator, or physician.
• Encourage maximum participation of family in meeting needs of patients.
• Assist in arranging transportation when required.
• May, with consent of administrator, establish group of clients with specific therapeutic goals.
• Respond promptly to customer needs.
• Proactively work to meet and/or exceed customer expectations.
• Build a relationship of trust and respect with customers.
• Develop knowledge of criteria utilized by Medicare and other third party payors for continued stay authorization in order to educate patient and families.

Transition/Discharge Planning:

• Obtain information from family and patient on admission regarding expectations and resources available for discharge planning.
• Collaborate with other care plan team members to develop individualized patient discharge plans through the patient care planning conference and through level of care meetings.
• Coordinate in-house planning and assist patient and family in obtaining services needed to assure continuity of care.
• Provide information to other centers with which there is a Transfer Agreement on discharge.
• Participate in Utilization Review to advise committee on discharge planning.
• Document discharge planning in patient’s medical record.

In-Service Education:

• Participate in continuing education programs available, with consent of Social Work Services Director.
• Participate in in-service education of staff in areas of expertise, especially emotional needs of elderly, patient’s rights, confidentiality and the Abuse Policy.

Quality Improvement:

• Participate in quality improvement program of center.
• Understand the QI process using Rapid Cycle techniques.
• Participate in survey processes conducted by state regulatory agencies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The social worker is responsible for the quality of social services rendered by the center.
• Report to the Director of Social Work Services the current status of social services and present needs as perceived by the social worker.
• Understand and abide by established policies of health care center and interpret them to concerned parties.
• Participate in consultation with the Director of Social Work Services and the regional social work consultant, especially pointing out problems and trends that may require company policy attention.
• Maintain confidentiality of professional information.
• Abide by the Policies and Procedures in the NHC Social Work Services Manual.
• Account for use of time, report sickness, and plan vacation time with the Director of Social Work Services.

NHC Place Sumner offers a competitive compensation package for full time employment including health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, paid time off, 401 (k) with generous company match, stock options, and more.

We offer competitive rates and benefits for part time employment including dental, vision, disability insurance, 401 (k) with generous company match, and more.

National HealthCare Corporation is recognized nationwide as an innovator in the delivery of quality long-term care. Our goal is to provide a full range of extended care services, designed to maximize the well-being and independence of patients of all ages. We are dedicated to meeting patient needs through an interdisciplinary approach combining compassionate care with cost-effective health care services.

The NHC environment is one of encouragement and challenge ... innovation and improvement ... teamwork and collaboration ... and honesty and integrity. All NHC employees are committed as partners, not only to the health of our patients, but to the well-being of the communities we serve.

If you are interested in working for a leader in senior care and share NHC's values of honesty and integrity, please apply today and find out more about us at nhccare.com/locations/nhc-place-sumner/

EOE

Skills

• Training - Social Services