Care Coordinator Social Worker

Here at Savista, we enable our clients to navigate the biggest challenges in healthcare: quality clinical care with positive patient experiences and optimal financial results. We partner with healthcare organizations to problem solve and deliver revenue cycle improvement services that enable their success, support their patients, and nurture their communities, all while living our values of Commitment, Authenticity, Respect and Excellence (CARE).
The purpose of this position is to support our mission to help everyone live a longer, happier, and healthier life. Specifically, the Care Coordination Social Worker is responsible for effective and efficient utilization of hospital resources and assisting patients in receiving appropriate, high-quality post-hospital care and service in a timely manner while working to remove barriers that create delays. Under general supervision, the Care Coordination Social Worker assesses patient and family psycho-social and discharge planning concern relevant to medical treatment. Provides crisis intervention, emotional support, resource information, discharge planning, and legal reporting. Arranges case conferences and facilitates bio-ethical consultations as necessary or as requested by patients, family, physicians, or other members of the clinical team.
JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Care Coordination Social Worker works closely with physicians, bedside nurses, RN Care Coordinators and associated clinical professionals to assist hospital patients in transitioning to a lower level of care.
• Conduct research and provide knowledge transfer on topics that relate to Remote Case Management and provide educational direction to the organization and others who are interested in this field of work.
• Work in conjunction with the RN Care Coordinator to evaluate the results of the patient's discharge screening in order to identify patients who will have discharge planning needs. Work as a team with the RN Care Coordinator to determine those patients who will be followed by the RN Care Coordinator, the Care Coordination Social Worker, or both during the patient's hospitalization. This discharge needs assessment will be conducted on all patients within 24 hours of admission and modified as the patient's clinical condition and/or social needs change throughout their hospitalization.
• Confers daily with the attending physician and consulting physician(s) to review and clarify progress toward discharge and identification of barriers for assigned patients.
• Demonstrates high organizational skills, is empathetic, and is capable of multitasking in a high-stress clinical environment. Because families are often strained during hospitalizations, the Care Coordination Social Worker will demonstrate the ability to handle difficult situations in a way that promotes the best outcomes for the patient while reducing the hospital's overall risk.
• Assesses patients' and families' psychosocial needs; coordinates and facilitates post-acute care. Collaborates with and contributes to interdisciplinary team's plans of care. Identifies and utilizes appropriate resources to optimize an effective, efficient discharge plan. Provides support to patients and families and links them to appropriate community resources.
• Refers patients/families and caregivers to appropriate resources regarding abuse/neglect/domestic violence, alcohol, and substance abuse. Performs appropriate clinical interventions related to grief counseling, bereavement, adjustment, and crisis intervention in order to support the process of transition planning.
• Follows patients under Baker Act and Marchman Act regulations to ensure regulatory requirements for patients' rights and transition to the appropriate level of care are met.
• Attend and actively participate in all departmental and interdepartmental meetings relative to Care Coordination and the proper utilization of hospital resources.
• Must have a high level of interpersonal and communication skills and be a demonstrated team player. Must demonstrate reliability and accountability to patients, families, and other team members.
• Consistently documents appropriate information in the EMR to reflect the care coordination efforts during the patient's hospitalization.
• Collaborates with the patient and Utilization Review Team to identify post-acute care options that meet patient needs and assist with information necessary for the Utilization Review Team to obtain timely authorization(s) for services both during and after the patient's hospitalization.
• Identify patients who will benefit from the assistance of financial counselors and ensure the hospital's financial counselors or outside contractors are consulted on the patient and follow-up to identify potential opportunities for financial assistance. Work with the financial counselor team to obtain necessary information from the patient and/or family in order to determine eligibility for financial assistance.
• Conducts a review of the progress toward discharge for assigned patients prior to daily discharge rounds. Attends discharge rounds prepared to discuss the barriers to discharge and anticipated needs. Leads the discussion around discharge needs and barriers to discharge.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with community agencies that provide services necessary for timely and effective discharge planning.
• Keeps patients informed of their rights as a patient, including delivering the Important Message (IM) from Medicare. Communicates discharge requirements with patients and families. Identifies the need for patient notifications; including, HINN, HRR, and ABN. Works in conjunction with the RN Care Coordinator anytime such a medical necessity notice is required for a patient.
• Makes reports for suspected child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence referrals pursuant to hospital and department policies and procedures.
• Participates in a regular rotation of weekend and after-hours coverage in order to meet Department needs as determined by the Director of Case Management.
• Possesses the knowledge base and counseling skills to effectively assist patients with advance directives and completes work on all assigned advance directive referrals in accordance with hospital policy.

• Perform other duties as they relate to social services as directed by the Manager of Care Coordination or the Director of Case Management.

COMPLIANCE EXPECTATIONS:
Supports Savista's Compliance Program by demonstrating adherence to all relevant compliance policies and procedures as evidenced by training participation and daily practice; notifying management when there is a compliance concern or incident; demonstrating knowledge of HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations as evidenced by appropriate handling of patient information; promoting confidentiality and using discretion when handling patient information.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work required.
• One to two years of experience as a Social Worker required or completion of hospital Social Work internship
• Knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid payment rules, policies, and regulations;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to effectively use MS Word and Outlook required;
• Ability to evaluate medical records and other health care data;
• Ability to exercise good judgment and tact in relating to third-party payers, physicians and patients;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with Hospital staff and others contacted in the course of this position;
• Ability to work as a part of a team
• Ability to accurately complete tasks within established times;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines; work independently
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all tasks performed.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from small groups or on a one-on-one basis.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

INTERRELATIONSHIPS: Collaborative interactions with UR nurses, UR Coordinators, social workers, nursing, management, medical and ancillary staff in areas throughout the system.
Note: Savista is required by state-specific laws to include the salary range for this role when hiring a resident in applicable locations. The salary range for this role is from $23.13 to $29.50. However, specific compensation for the role will vary within the above range based on many factors including but not limited to geographic location, candidate experience, applicable certifications, and skills.
SAVISTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, age, veteran status, disability, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, gender identity or any other federal, state or local protected class.
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