Social Worker- Part-time, Shadyside

University of Pittsburgh Physicians is hiring a part-time Social Worker.

This social worker role encompasses hospital-based support, street rounding as part of an interdisciplinary team, respite care coordination, and engagement within local shelters. Day to day, the social worker will manage hospital consults with the goal of reducing readmission rates and improving patient care by connecting patients to essential community and clinical services. The role also includes participation in the SWAT meeting at Shadyside and supporting data tracking efforts related to readmission rates and overall patient care outcomes.

Purpose:
Provide brief problem focused assessments, psychosocial support to include end of life and bereavement services, and timely and appropriate discharge planning based on anticipated needs.

Responsibilities:
 

• Demonstrate knowledge of reimbursement systems, the ability to educate patients and families regarding payer requirements/coverage for post-acute services and the ability to effectively advocate on the behalf of the patient to obtain authorization for post-acute admission.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify, assess, support, and effectively intervene with patients based on their medical and psychosocial needs as part of an overall plan of care or at the time of a crisis the patient may experience.
• Educate and advocate for patients and families to assist their ability to make informed decisions regarding medical care, discharge planning, advance directives and end of life care.
• Maintain knowledge of federal, state, local assistance programs and community resources that affect patient needs; demonstrate ability to access social systems and assist patients/families in making informed decisions regarding recommended resources/referrals.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional practice maintaining respect for confidentiality and freedom of choice as outlined by the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.
• Complete a brief problem focused psychosocial assessment that may include any of the following: social, economic, cultural, age-related and behavioral factors, history of child, elder, domestic abuse, prior psychiatric or substance abuse treatment, family and social support systems, and all other available resources.
• Collaborate effectively with the healthcare team, patients, families and relevant community resources to develop and implement and individualized plan of care. Monitor and evaluate plan, option, and available services to effectively meet the patient’s needs and support the transition and use of the continuum of care. Reassess the plan of care as status changes at a minimum of every 1-3 days.
• Provide accurate, timely, ongoing, and appropriate documentation of all social work interventions in the medical record per regulatory policies and procedures.