The Social Worker is responsible for carrying out the philosophy and objectives established by Administration. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, contributes professional social work knowledge and skills in the provision of services that support patient and family access to health care and address psychosocial factors that influence a patient's health in the hospital and ambulatory settings.

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Social Worker is responsible for supporting outpatient clinics throughout the division including adult therapy, pediatric therapy, pain management, and psychology. The social worker will partner closely with the interdisciplinary care team to assess patient and family needs after discharge from the inpatient rehabilitation unit, barriers to receiving care in the outpatient settings, goal of care as established by the patient's provider, and resources needed to support the physical and mental health of patients who are navigating healthcare services and resources throughout the community.

Why UnityPoint Health?

• Culture - At UnityPoint Health, you matter. Come for a fulfilling career and experience guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve.
• Benefits - Our competitive program offers benefits options like 401K match, paid time off and education assistance that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you're in.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment - We're committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
• Development - We believe equipping you with support and is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience.
• Community Involvement - Be an essential part of our core purpose-to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.

Hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work at .

Patient Care

• Performs psychosocial assessment of the patient to identify priority needs, strengths, patient preferences and barriers to care.
• Provides crisis intervention and supportive counseling to patients/families to support their ability to cope with the impact of health conditions.
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of community resources and acts as a liaison to refer patients/families to health and social services, health insurance, public assistance and other resources to meet patient identified needs.
• Assists with planning for care transitions and collaborates with UPH, community services, and facilities to support patient safety and continuity of care.
• Maintains quality of care related to the hospital's expectation for quality discharge planning services.
• Evidences ability to apply professional judgment when working with patients and families.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills with patients, families, healthcare team and other customers.
• Documents assessments, interventions, and referrals in the electronic health record according to documentation standards.
• Completes PASRR or other screening tools when appropriate for transition to another care provider.
• Educates patient/family regarding Advanced Directives and facilitates/documents advanced care planning conversations with patients/surrogate decision makers including First Steps and IPOST/IPOLST.
• Demonstrates flexibility and self-direction in meeting patient and unit needs by responding as a team player.

Education and Advocacy

• Serves as a patient/family advocate in support of patient confidentiality, informed consent, patient autonomy, and self-determination.
• Assesses patient safety to identify possible abuse, neglect or other risks to safety. Collaborates with the care team to address safety issues and files DHS reports and/or guides others in the process as mandated.
• Provides information and support with guardianship and conservatorship issues.
• Supports culturally competent services and assists with arranging interpreter services as needed.
• Provides education to the patient/family regarding available services and supports and assists the patient to access those they are eligible for.
• Provides information and education to physician and other team members in understanding the psychosocial implications of illness and disease progression for the patient/family.
• Participates in mentoring new employees and/or supervising social work interns as requested.
• Provides professional leadership through compliance with established department routines, policies and procedures.

Care Coordination

• Provides expertise and plays a key role with the care team in establishing patient-centered goals of care and identifying psychosocial and behavioral strengths and barriers.
• Facilitates and/or participates in interdisciplinary team meetings or unit huddles to review and revise the patient plan of care.
• Facilitates patient/family meetings to enhance family support of the patient's care.
• Reviews reports and adjusts practices in the social service area in order to meet necessary regulatory and legal standards.
• Collaborates with social workers and other professionals across the continuum and in the community to ensure continuity of care.

Foster Unity

* Leverage the skills and abilities of each person to enable great teams.

* Collaborate across departments, facilities, business units and regions.

* Seek to understand and are open to diverse thoughts and perspectives.

Own The Moment

* Connect with each person treating them with courtesy, compassion, empathy and respect

* Enthusiastically engage in our work.

* Accountable for our individual actions and our team performance.

* Responsible for solving problems regardless of the origin.

Champion Excellence

* Commit to the best outcomes and highest quality.

* Have a relentless focus on exceeding expectations.

* Believe in sharing our results, learning from our mistakes and celebrating our successes.

Seize Opportunities

* Embrace and promote innovation and transformation.

* Create partnerships that improve care delivery in our communities.

* Have the courage to challenge the status quo.

• Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
• Current licensure in good standing to practice social work at the Master's level in the state where services are provided (LMSW).
• Successfully complete Person Centered Care course within 6 months of hire.
• Valid mandatory reporter course completion by state(s) requirement.
• Completion of First Steps (ACP) and IPOST/POLST training.
• Knowledge of the social work process
• Awareness and sensitivity to cultural diversity
• Knowledge of the physiological elements of illness and impact on psychosocial functioning
• Knowledge of the healthcare system and resources available to patients.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as a collaborative team member
• Knowledge of social determinants of Health
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
  
• Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.