Schedule Weekly Hours:

Acute Care Social Workers provide assessment, planning, consulting, education and referral services to Gundersen Health System patients and family members. Social workers assess complex biopsychosocial needs and provides interventions to support the individualized treatment plan. Social Workers act as consultants and leaders in comprehensive care throughout the system, while supporting organizational strategies and goals.

Major Responsibilities:
1. Assessment and Treatment Planning

• Complete required assessments that aid in creating an individualized care plan for each patient.

• Create individualized care plans and goals in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team and the patient and monitor progress. Evaluate treatment plan and modify as needed.

• Evaluate and consider legal, ethical, and biopsychosocial components in patient and family situations.

• Assess barriers including coping with illness, mental health history, cognitive development, lack of social support, resistance to treatment, financial barriers, or other health system barriers.

2. Discharge Planning

• Participate in discharge planning for patients with acute needs requiring post-discharge services such as transitions to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, AODA/behavioral health treatment facilities, outpatient dialysis, acute rehab, hospice, and transportation needs.

• Coordinate follow-up services post discharge to assure the continuum of care.

• Network with and demonstrate knowledge of community resources to share with patients and families.

3. Provide Education and Support

• Provide age specific education to patients and families regarding the levels of care, community resources, advance directives, legal proceedings, coping, and roles of their health care team members.

• Engage and empower patients and families in the treatment and decision-making process with respect to patient rights and confidentiality.

• Utilize crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and mediation to address patient/family concerns and help them adjust to the hospital admission

4. Documentation and Communication

• Document daily all assessments, interventions, and clinical services provided in the electronic health record for each patient on social workers' case load.

• Demonstrate good interpersonal skills when communicating with patients, families, and team.

• Consider the age, development stage, and educational needs of the patient and family to adapt communication style and techniques.

• Collect and document statistical data on case type and develop reports required to be maintained by the health system; with assistance from administrative staff report to appropriate federal and/or state regulatory agencies; present report to colleagues, management, and leadership for identification of problem areas.

5. Innovation and Critical Thinking

• Utilize knowledge, resources, and creative problem-solving approaches to assure appropriate treatment and create successful discharges.

• Apply critical thinking and conflict resolution skills to effectively balance competing needs and responsibilities.

6. Collaboration

• Work in collaboration with interdisciplinary team and community health professionals to sensitize and educate health care providers to the social and psychological aspects of the patient's illness.

• Collaborate with social workers and social work liaison's to effectively prioritize work and work to top of scope.

7. Professionalism

• Active participation in offered development opportunities, professional organizations, and/or community groups to enhance professional and departmental growth.

• Conduct selves in accordance with NASW Ethics and Code of Conduct towards internal and external customers.

• Ensure patient safety, protection of rights, and quality of life by following State rules and Federal regulations.

• Evaluate own practice in relation to professional standards and guidelines

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and sensitivity toward cultural diversity and the spiritual, developmental, and educational backgrounds of the population served.

8. Perform other job-related responsibilities

Education and Learning:

REQUIRED

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related human service field

Work Experience:

REQUIRED

No experience required

DESIRED

1 year work experience in social services in a hospital, medical clinic, county social service agency or nursing home

License and Certifications:

REQUIRED

Social worker licensed in the state(s) of practice at time of hire

Age Specific Population:

Neonatal

Pediatric

Adolescent

Adult

Geriatric

Osha Category:

Category 1 - Employees in this job title have a reasonably anticipated risk of occupational exposure to blood and/or other potentially infectious materials.

Environmental Conditions:

Exposed to infectious diseases

Physical Requirements/Demands of The Position:

Sitting Frequently (34-66% or 5.5 hours) Static Standing Rarely (1-5% or .5 hours)

Walking/Standing Occasionally (6-33% or 3 hours)

Reaching - Below Shoulder Frequently (34-66% or 5.5 hours) Repetitive Actions - Fine Manipulation Continually (67-100% or 8 hours)

If you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact or call 608-775-0267

Equal Opportunity Employer