ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                      Social Services Specialist   

REPORTS TO POSITION:         Manager or Director of Care Coordination for Social Services

DEPARTMENT:                         Social Services

DATE LAST REVIEWED:             August 2024

OUR VISION:                                    Creating America’s healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION:                                In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES:                                  Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: St. Charles Health System’s Social Services Specialist may support any one, or a combination of the following social services departments: Emergency Room, Family Birthing, NICU, Pediatrics, Inpatient Medical Units, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Hospice, Home Health, or Behavioral Health. These departments provide system-wide support including, but not limited to working with a multi-disciplinary team to assess needs of patients and families, provide supportive assessments, therapeutic interventions, counseling resource referrals, care coordination for hospice, and long-term care placement funding and services. These departments may also provide the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of patient and family from admission through bereavement utilizing an interdisciplinary approach to care that includes physicians, registered nurses, chaplains, social workers, volunteers, and counselors. These departments may additionally provide identified services as needed to support those affected by chronic or acute illness.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Social Services Specialist assists in meeting the psychosocial needs of patients and their families by helping patients utilize services to achieve optimum level of function throughout the continuum of care. In addition, the Social Services Specialist provides supportive counseling, end-of-life support, care planning, and brief interventions including assessment and treatment for patients experiencing coexisting medical concerns and social/behavioral/mental health issues. The Social Services Specialist provides a therapeutic presence in services to others by purposefully responding to the needs of patients in a caring way.

This position does not directly manage any other caregivers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Functions as a member of the Interdisciplinary Care Team to assure care is accomplished effectively and efficiently in a cost-effective manner and establishes, reviews and revises the plan of care for each patient.

Coordinates care plans as a consultative service with collaboration of interdisciplinary teams to address psychosocial needs related to injuries, accidents, and critical incidents.

Advocates for patient’s needs, ensuring they receive appropriate services and resources to assist in continuum of care and discharge planning.

Participates with team members in facilitating patient’s and family’s learning throughout the continuum of care. Reinforces patient’s continued health care through teaching and referrals, advocates for patient rights, and addresses barriers to care.

Provides bio-psychosocial and trauma-informed interventions, support, and referrals to patients and families. Collaborates to identify coping strategies and support mechanisms. Identifies and communicates community resources, acting as a resource for patients and families throughout the continuum of care.

Provides brief, evidence-based interventions for emotional distress. Assesses threats of self-harm or harm to others.

Provides education, support, community resources, and care planning for palliative care, hospice and bereavement needs.

Conducts comprehensive assessments of economic, mental health, family dynamics, and social support systems. Evaluates Social Determinants of Health and connects patients with appropriate resources.

Provides substance abuse assessments and brief interventions (SBIRT, DAST) and refers to outpatient behavioral health for follow-up for patients scoring positively on the Columbia Suicide Risk Assessment.

Identifies victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse. Makes appropriate referrals and notifies the Department of Human Services (DHS) and/or law enforcement when applicable.

Provides information, education and resource referrals related to advance directives, power of attorneys, guardianship, conservatorship, and long-term care services. Assists in navigating legal avenues for guardianship and navigating pathways through local and state resources.

Gathers and documents data promptly, ensuring compliance with department standards. Maintains accurate records of patient interactions, assessments, and interventions. Collaborates with electronic health record systems to document social work interventions.

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, supporting the health system’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violations of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all company investigations and proceedings.

Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a timely, efficient, and accurate way that promotes goodwill.

Supports the vision, mission, and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients, and guests.

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

EDUCATION:
 

Required: Master’s level degree in Social Work or Behavioral Sciences.

Preferred: NA  

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:
 

Required: Valid current Oregon driver's license and ability to meet SCHS driving requirements for Home Health, Hospice and Behavioral Health departments.

EXPERIENCE:
 

Required: One (1) year experience in a healthcare or social work related field.    

Preferred: Two (2) years of experience in a hospital setting.         

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

Continually (75% or more): Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.

Frequently (50%): Sitting, keyboard operation.

Occasionally (25%): Standing, walking, bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 1-10 pounds, grasping/squeezing, operation of a motor vehicle, ability to hear whispered speech level.

Never (0%):  Climbing ladder/step-stool, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 11-50 pounds.

Exposure to Elemental Factors

Occasionally (25%):  Chemical solution for Laboratory Caregivers.

Rarely (10%): Wet/slippery area.

Never (0%):  Heat, cold, noise, dust, vibration, chemical solution, uneven surface.

Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

Risk for Exposure to BBP

Licensed Social Services Specialist Requirements:

EDUCATION:

Required: Master’s level degree in Social Work or Behavioral Sciences.

Preferred: N/A 

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

Required: Oregon licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Valid current Oregon driver's license and ability to meet SCHS driving requirements for Home Health, Hospice and Behavioral Health departments. 

Preferred: Accredited Case Manager Certification (ACMA:ACM-SW). Member of the National Association of Social Worker’s or another national association membership.

EXPERIENCE:

Required: One (1) year experience in a healthcare or social work related field.

Preferred: Two (2) years of experience in a hospital setting.                  

Schedule Weekly Hours:

Caregiver Type:

Shift:

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