Licensed Social Worker (LSW) - Oncology Services Mercy Health Youngstown

Job Title

Everyone who works with Mercy Health is united under one purpose: to help our patients be well in mind, body and spirit. This drive, along with our history of faith, is a powerful combination. It gives us a shared calling to work toward every day. Join our exceptional team and help us continue to provide the highest quality of health care possible to our communities.

Job Description

Knowledgeable about disease, treatment and psychosocial implications for individual patients and families as it pertains to their age and stage of psychosocial development; provides appropriate interventions and discharge planning services to patients and families; facilitates a smooth transition for the patient throughout the continuum of care by accessing hospital, community and governmental resources; pragmatic in approaching End of Life and ethical issues and performs other duties as assigned. Provides clinical supervision to peers, bachelor's degree staff, and students.

Assessment: Assesses constantly for best resource allocation with patient management activities both in hospital and community systems to advocate for cost containment without jeopardizing patient quality efforts; Completes initial and ongoing assessment of the patient and family's response to the diagnosis, living environment and discharge planning needs; Identifies and reports appropriate discharge barriers and avoidable days in order to promote the resolution process within the hospital or community systems; Provides assessment for the source and significance of social, psychological, environmental, emotional, and economic factors that may contribute to the health and response to treatment of both inpatients and outpatients of all ages and documents appropriately in the medical record.

Planning: Actively coordinates patient and family interventions with the attending physician, patient, family, case managers, and other staff; Develops treatment plan based on the assessment and mutually agreed upon goals with the patient, family and physician; Develops a plan of intervention, which is integrated with the interdisciplinary treatment team to establish continuum of care in congruence with ethical and legal considerations; Advocates, mediates, and negotiates a cohesive plan for maintaining or improving social supports and patient safety.

Implementation: Provide supportive counseling, education, and crisis management to patient/family; Facilitate healthcare decision making and resolution of discharge planning issues; Provide psychosocial intervention for: neglect/abuse, adjustment to illness, bereavement, non-compliance and other psychosocial barriers to diagnosis and treatment; Maximize health status and minimize length of stay and utilization of hospital resources; Provide referral and linkage to health care and community resources.

Evaluation: Evaluates the effectiveness of interventions and actions in relation to the intended goals of the discharge plan; Revises intervention strategies and discharge plan as necessary; Identifies barriers in service delivery systems and advocate for change; Evaluates patient outcomes and participates in process improvement.

Collaboration/Consultation: Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to enhance quality of care and efficiency; Maintains a positive working relationship with healthcare team and community agencies and services; Assists interdisciplinary team in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to illness; Functions as a liaison for the patient and the facility both internally and externally. Maintains networks for professional growth and awareness; Works collaboratively with the health care team to facilitate the plan of care for inpatients and outpatients, as appropriate; Provides clinical supervision to peers, Bachelor Degree staff, and students.

Compliance: Assures chart documentation consistently meets the department and hospital standards for accountability and confidentiality; Recognizes legal responsibilities and identifies areas of concern to Risk Management and Legal Services; Maintains current knowledge and is familiar with federal and state regulator guidelines, institutional policies, and payer source policies; Documents interventions timely.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: Casework principles, including diagnosis, assessment, crisis intervention, and treatment planning; techniques in individual and family supportive counseling; knowledge of community resources, public assistance systems, Medicare/Medicaid; accepted professional, ethical, and regulatory standards within the existing medical community and professional organizations.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: Ability to prioritize many simultaneous demands and tolerate frequent interruptions. Self-awareness, professionalism, and good judgement when addressing emotional and confidential issues. Excellent verbal and written communication.

Required Education: Bachelor’s (Social Work) (Preferred: Masters)

Required: Licensed LSW State of Ohio

Experience: Preferred one year in out-patient setting.

Many of our opportunities reward your hard work with: Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans Prescription drug coverage Flexible spending accounts Life insurance w/AD&D Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible Paid time off Educational Assistance And much more Benefits offerings vary according to employment status

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team.