Decision Support Specialist jobs in Tacoma, WA

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health brings together two award-winning health systems in Washington state  CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason. As one integrated health system with the most patient access points in western Washington, our team includes 18,000 staff and nearly 5,000 employed physicians and affiliated providers.

At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you will find the safest and highest quality of care provided by our expert, compassionate medical care team at 11 hospitals and nearly 300 sites throughout the greater Puget Sound region. 

While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!

JOB SUMMARY  

Provides complex care management to patients and their families/designated decision makers who have experienced a critical event or diagnosis that requires an extensive use of resources and/or support navigating the health system to facilitate appropriate delivery of care services and discharge.  As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, responsible for assessing and providing support and intervention for the social and emotional needs of patients and their families to promote continuity of care and services.   Work involves subject matter expertise in the following professional activities such as psycho-social assessment, mental health screening and referral, crisis intervention, environmental assistance, patient advocacy, after-care planning and others of similar scope and complexity, depending on the assigned work unit. Ensures payer authorization and coordination of services are identified and appropriate to the patient situation balancing resource allocation and length of stay.

Note:  If assigned to the following areas, behavioral health or emergency services, duties include mental health assessment and evaluation.

This job exists in multiple locations, assignments may include coverage at multiple locations and settings, and while there may be minor differences in job content, they are not significant for classification purposes.  Overall, the nature of the work and job requirements, are consistent between locations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

Performs assessments, evaluation, mental health screening and/or mental health assessment and evaluation, and referrals, focusing on the psychosocial needs of the patient and family; facilitates family conferences as appropriate.  Identifies and communicates social, emotional and patient/family stressors to members of the care team as it relates to patient’s problems and plan of care.

Plans and coordinates interventions, provides counseling services and evaluates effectiveness of interventions for identified patients and families based on specific department standards.

Identifies and facilitates safe discharge planning along the continuum.  Communicates and documents plan to interdisciplinary patient care team.

Documents, researches and maintains current knowledge of community resources, agencies and advocacy groups while maintaining professional relationships for networking purposes and keeping abreast of options available to patients.    Promotes safety, quality and appropriate resource utilization.  Advocates on behalf of patients and caregivers for service access and for safety and rights.  Examples could include victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, disability access or community based services.

Ensures compliance with state reporting requirements and appropriate documentation as identified by department policy and regulatory requirements/agencies.  Provides consultation to staff and physicians regarding reporting requirements.  Collaborates with members of the legal community and outside agencies to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Provides consultation and guidance to staff and physicians about patient psychosocial issues and needs.

Cultural Sensitivity and Competence:  Demonstrates proper use of communication tools/materials for effective communication and understands how the culture(s) of patient populations can affect communication, collaboration and the provision of care, treatment and services.  Patient Population Served:  Demonstrates knowledge and proper skills associated with the department’s defined specific populations served.

Performs related duties as required.

Education/Work Experience Requirements:

Master’s Degree in a behavioral health field (e.g. sociology, psychology, counseling, etc.) required; MSW is preferred.  

Two years recent related work experience in a healthcare setting preferred.  

Licensure/Certification

• Current Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Current Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
• Current Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW)
• Current Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

     Or

• Eligible for Agency Affiliated Counselor which must be obtained prior to date of hire.