Essential Functions:
• Screen those patients whose diagnosis and social data indicate need for social service intervention, according to Social Work practice standards.
• Make psychosocial assessments utilizing all available data, including interviews with patient and family conferring with interdisciplinary associates.
• Ensure continuity of care though development, implementation and validation of discharge / treatment plans, in a timely manner and in collaboration with patient, family, and interdisciplinary team.
• Function independently but utilize supervision to identify any problems in expediting discharge / treatment plans.
• Maintain Social Work professional conduct and practices develop networking relationships, participate in patient focused internal / external conferences.
• Ensure confidentiality in accordance with hospital and Social Services policies
• Develop ongoing linkages and networking relationships.
• Participate in patient focused and internal / external conferences.
• Demonstrate leadership skills by utilizing psychosocial expertise to assist with the team building, discharge / treatment planning, conflict resolution and psychosocial education to interdisciplinary staff when appropriate.
• Participate in departmental programs – i.e., quality improvement, statistical reporting, continuing education, staff meetings, etc.
• Demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical issues and principles related to end-of-life care including informed consent, right to refuse treatment, withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment including nutrition and hydration, DNR order, advance directives, determination of decisional capacity and surrogate decision making and the doctrine of futility.
• Demonstrate skill and knowledge related to the identification, reporting, and intervention for victims of individual and family violence, rape mugging, elder abuse and child abuse / neglect.
• Demonstrate understanding of the developmental stages from infancy through the elder years, family systems theory and how various illnesses Impact on the patient / family system.