POSITION SUMMARY The Emergency Department Social Worker II is a skilled and experienced professional Masters prepared Social Worker, responsible for excellence in the clinical practice of social work. Reporting to the Manager of Social Services, the Emergency Department Social Worker II is responsible for providing a range of services including: bio-psychosocial assessment, leading to the development of an individualized plan of care, assessing psychiatric patients, and if clinically appropriate placing involuntary holds, and coordination of appropriate interventions for patients and/or families based on need. The role reflects appropriate knowledge of the Social Work scope of practice, current state requirements, CMS Conditions of Participation, EMTALA, The Patient Bill of Rights, and other Federal or State regulatory agency requirements specific to Utilization Review and Discharge Planning. The Emergency Department Social Worker partners with the medical staff, and utilizes an evidence based approach to manage the care of the patient. These activities include seeing the patient in the ambulatory and/or ED setting, in order to ensure high quality care, and efficient utilization of available resources. This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the Mission of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital. It is expected that the employee will demonstrate behavior consistent with the Core Values. The employee shall support Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital's strategic plan and the goals and direction of the quality and performance improvement process activities. The Watson Model of Care is utilized throughout the delivery system of care services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Is responsible for assessing, planning, managing, and providing social services to patients and/or their families in the ED setting and the entire hospital after regular working hours
- Is part of the interdisciplinary team, responsible for rounding on patients in order to facilitate timely care; assure quality of care throughout the hospital stay; and minimize adverse outcomes.
- Provides supportive counseling and crisis intervention to patients and/or families with challenging psychosocial issues.
- Is responsible for the timely reporting of suspected abuse and or/neglect to child and/or adult protective services.
- Prioritizes cases and responds to priority system appropriately.
- Documents all team, physician and patient/family communication and concerns pertaining to coordination of care and services.
- Adheres to departmental and hospital wide policies and procedures.
- Participates in the Quality and Performance Improvement Plan for the hospital, as it relates to the provision of social work services.
- Considers the patient population served, age-specific criteria and the Watson Model of Care in all patient/family care and interaction.
- Assists with the assessment and transfer of patients requiring inpatient psychiatric care including writing involuntary holds if deemed clinically appropriate
- Adheres to MLKCH LPS MOU and appropriate involuntary hold policy as well as all applicable county and state laws regarding involuntary holds.
- Assists with training new hires.
- Acts as a subject matter expert regarding California LPS law and process. Maintains active Los Angeles County LPS Certification.
- Maintains accurate charting and required departmental tracking logs.
- Assists with the safe and appropriate discharge of homeless patients in compliance with SB1152
- Other duties as assigned.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS A. Education
- Master's degree in Social Work
B. Qualifications/Experience
- Hospital inpatient social work experience required. Care management experience preferred.
- Knowledge and understanding of evidence based clinical social work interventions. Knowledge of clinical operations and procedures.
- Able to navigate and connect successfully with outside provider networks (Health Plans, IPA's, and FQHC's).
C. Special Skills/Knowledge
- Bilingual language skills preferred (Spanish)
- Basic computer skills
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Licensed Clinical Social Work licensure required
- Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Certificate required (MLKCH designated).
Must complete annual Workplace Violence Prevention Program/Certificate, per hospital policy, during initial training/orientation but not to exceed 30 days from hire/transfer
.#LI - AM1
