Job Summary:
The Medical Social Worker II provides assessment, coordination, and implementation/evaluation of professional social services to patients and their families in order to aid them in coping with social, emotional, and economic difficulties related to medical problems or which predispose to illness. This classification is distinguished from the Medical Social Worker I by its responsibility to treating the more difficult and complex cases such as but not limited to crisis intervention and behavior modification.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities, and applicable state, federal and local laws.
- The Medical Social Worker II provides quality counseling services by assessing patient/family system needs then developing and implementing treatment plans in accordance with departmental and medical center policies, and in compliance with the standards of the social work profession.
- Quality of clinical services is indicated by QM findings, case presentations, documentation review, staff and patient feedback and supervisory discussions.
- Performs a bio-psychosocial assessment interview with patient, family, and/or significant other according to department policy and standards.
- Provides appropriate crisis intervention/treatment to adults, children and families in emergent situations including assessment, counseling, information/referral and providing consultation to physicians and healthcare team.
- Provides a professional interpretation of patients' condition (i.e., situation, affect, behavior and verbal content) and recommends appropriate psycho-social intervention(s) and/or treatment plan.
- Develops culturally sensitive assessments that reflect departmental standards and includes: reasons for referral; source of referral; informant name; physical/medical issues; interpersonal and social relations; emotional/psychiatric/adjustment issues including assessment of depression; role performance/social transition; community planning/resources (as indicated); legal/protective issues (as indicated).
- Provides appropriate counseling services to patients and/or family based on clinical assessment and consistent with patients' ongoing medical condition/needs.
- Performs relevant patient and family advocacy services within KP and the community.
- Provides patient education on subjects related to psycho-social adjustment to medical illness, individually, in classes or groups.
- The Medical Social Worker II takes responsibility for implementation of social work knowledge and values, standards of practice and enhancement of professional skills as demonstrated by chart reviews, case presentations, staff and patient feedback, supervisory discussions and attendance at conferences/classes.
- Assessment demonstrates ability to interpret the social, emotional and behavioral problems/elements as they relate to the patients' medical condition and treatment.
- Knowledge of availability of KP and community resources consistent with treatment goals.
- Utilizes professional knowledge in facilitating staff and other meetings.
- Demonstrates knowledge of and observes department policies and procedures.
- Utilizes formal and informal education opportunities to increase professional knowledge base as demonstrated by attendance at appropriate and approved programs/workshops/in-services/etc.
- Demonstrates the integration of clinical social work theory into practice by appropriately utilizing clinical knowledge of bio-psychosocial development stages, personality development, human behavior, etc., to formulate assessment, direct treatment, and provide consultation and education to other team members.
- Interdisciplinary Functions as an effective team member, consultant, and liaison to medical, nursing and ancillary staff, and to community agencies, as measured by staff feedback (positive and negative), observation by supervisor, QM evaluations, and written communications.
- Demonstrates interdisciplinary approach, competent follow-up and communication of accurate information to team members.
- Assumes responsibility for patient, staff and system problems indicated by requests for involvement.
- Demonstrates awareness of the Departments mission, scope and vision in the context of the Medical Centers structure.
- As measured by established standards, maintains good rapport with peers, community, physicians, and other health care team members.
- Educates physicians and staff regarding the role of the social worker and the importance of addressing bio-psychosocial issues for quality patient care and service.
- Regularly participates as a team member in patient care conferences and planning meetings, and forms teams when indicated.
- Demonstrates professional behavior and interventions are consistent with departmental policies and procedures, TJC, Title 22, NCQA, legal mandates, the NASW Code of Ethics and Standards for Social Work in Health Care Settings, and other Medical Center Guidelines.
- Utilizes supervision and consultation appropriately, as indicated by regular attendance at supervisory/consultation sessions, identifying and discussing problem cases/situations with supervisor, seeking consultation with peers and being open to learning.
- Identifies improvement opportunities for the department or work area and communicates ideas to the supervisor.
- Participates in Quality Management activities based on member needs, organizational goals, and professional standards.
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