Social Worker Lead

• Provides social work services to individuals or groups including: screening, psychosocial assessment, discharge planning, determination of social work goals, appropriate concrete and/or therapeutic interventions and follow-up. Exercises a substantial degree of professional judgment, recognizing deviations from the usual patient/family functioning, anticipating problems and taking measures to maximize coping capabilities.
• Documents activity according to department and program protocols or standards. Provides education to patients/families regarding Advance Directives for health care decision-making. Assists with execution of these documents as appropriate.
• Implements interventions substantiated by assessment as appropriate to the needs of the patient/client system and consistent with available resources. Initiates and coordinates interventions with the activities of other members of the health care team. Collaborates with community agencies and institutions to plan continued care and to coordinate interventions related to finances, housing, childcare, family discord and other psychosocial problems. Provides crisis intervention services.
• Assists with managing utilization of hospital resources especially as related to patients with complex continuity of care needs.
• Communicates effectively with patients, family, other members of the health care team and community agencies and facilities resolution of issues which could impact on continuity of care (e.g., prior-approvals, application requirements, transfer paperwork).
• Establishes effective professional relationships, positively representing the social work profession throughout the organization and in the community. Promotes constructive approach to problem solving. Adheres to the profession’s Code of Ethics; consistently practices within a framework guided by ethical principles.
• Participates in unit-based educational programs to enhance the understanding of psychosocial aspects of health care delivery. Works cooperatively with other professional and non-professional staff to identify and resolve problems in the service delivery systems and to improve quality of patient care.
• Provides consultation, training and orientation to Social Services and other professional staff. Provides clinical guidance to medical social work staff. Assists in development, implementation and maintenance of policies, procedures and practice standards, and with quality improvement activities. Performs investigation and follow-up on complaints / service issues.
• Assists in the internal management of Social Services; makes recommendations to develop and improve patient services. In collaboration with the supervisor, assigns, assesses and oversees caseloads of staff. Represents Social Services in internal and external program development and liaison activities under the direction of supervisor.
• Assists with human resources responsibilities for staff, which may include interviewing and selection of new employees, staff development, performance evaluation feedback, resolution of employee concerns, and employee morale.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department’s policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Social Worker license issued by the state of Wisconsin.

Education Required:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 5 years of experience in social work for a large, complex health care organization that includes experiences in an acute care setting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Exhibits good command of social work knowledge, principles and methods and the ability to apply these in a health care setting.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and human relation skills are essential.
• Intermediate computer skills including word processing, presentation applications and electronic mail. Electronic medical record systems experience preferred.
• Ability to integrate major social and health care issues into service provisions.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in diplomacy, human relations, building rapport, collaboration, organization, prioritization and promotion of staff development.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Generally exposed to a normal clinical environment.
• May be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and radiation hazards as well as blood and body fluids; therefore, personal protective equipment must be worn as necessary.
• Must sit, stand, speak, read/write, and walk throughout the workday.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.