Sickle Cell Social Worker-1

Job Description Summary

The Social Worker will provide comprehensive, continuing patient care by delivering social work care coordination services to individuals living with sickle cell disease and their families. This role requires the social worker to be an active member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team, contributing to patient health and well-being through a variety of psychosocial assessments, interventions, and ongoing care management. The social worker will address emotional, psychological, social, financial, and developmental aspects of care, while also supporting patients and families in navigating complex healthcare needs.

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC000313 CHS - Case Management - OP (Main)

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

Health-26

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Completes comprehensive psychosocial assessments to identify strengths and potential barriers across the continuum of care as it relates to patient health and wellbeing.
•  The social worker will provide education, consultation, and serve as a liaison to the healthcare team regarding the patient and families' emotional, psychological, social, financial and developmental aspects of care.
• Assists patients and families in coping with illness, trauma, hospitalization, and end of life based on principles of growth and development, family systems, and cultural considerations.
• Assists families and healthcare team in making plans for discharge and ongoing medical care and treatment related to psychosocial needs.
• Assists families in accessing resources to achieve and/or maintain stabilization and self-sufficiency.
• Documents and maintains updated patient information pertaining to services provided.
• Assesses patients and families for safety, abuse, and neglect concerns, and serves as the mandated reporter for hospital campuses or assigned service area to Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services and Law Enforcement

Engagement and Exploration:

• Engage patients and families in a helping process, developing rapport to foster trust and enhance communication.
• Assess psychosocial and mental health needs of patients and families to identify barriers to treatment, improve health status, and increase satisfaction.
• Work with patients and families to address any psychosocial factors affecting treatment adherence and outcomes.
• Facilitate the utilization of available healthcare resources and assist with resource coordination.

Assessment and Intervention:

• Address emotional, psychological, social, and environmental factors affecting health and well-being.
• Provide individual and family counseling for complex crisis management, adjustment to illness, healthcare decision-making, and navigating social challenges.
• Identify and implement strategies for enhancing patient/family coping, quality of life, and health outcomes.

Care Coordination and Advocacy:

• Develop and implement intervention plans in collaboration with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team.
• Advocate for patients and families, ensuring that care plans are in line with their needs, preferences, and circumstances.
• Provide advocacy and negotiation support in managing the discharge process, ensuring that patients’ psychosocial needs are addressed, whether at home, in a nursing facility, rehabilitation center, or other care settings.
• Initiate referrals to community resources as needed, such as financial assistance programs, mental health services, or housing support.

Safety and Legal Advocacy:

• Assess patients for safety, including potential concerns related to abuse or neglect, and report to MAP Team for follow-up with relevant authorities (Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, or Law Enforcement) as required.
• Serve as a liaison for child protection, custody, and supervision needs on behalf of families and healthcare teams.

Education and Consultation:

• Educate patients and families about Advance Care Planning and support the completion of Advance Directives.
• Assist in assessing patient education levels and identifying learning styles to enhance learning outcomes for both patients and caregivers.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain clear, concise, and timely documentation of social work services provided to patients, ensuring compliance with organizational standards.
• Write reports as needed, documenting patient progress and outcomes.
• Respond to email and other communication requests in a timely manner.

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement:

• Participate in evaluating patient outcomes and providing feedback for process improvements.
• Identify barriers to service delivery and contribute to ongoing quality improvement initiatives.
• Work with the team to ensure continuity of care and smooth transitions across various levels of care.

Professional Development:

• Attend departmental meetings, training sessions, and continuing education to enhance clinical skills and stay current on best practices.
• Maintain positive working relationships with community agencies and services to support patient needs.
• Participate in activities that promote customer service excellence and improve patient satisfaction (e.g., Press Ganey scores).
• Active and ongoing involvement in at least 1 Case Management and Care Transitions Committee.

Qualifications:

• Education: Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited school of social work (required).
• Licensure: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), or Licensed Independent Social Worker

Experience:

• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in social work practice, preferably in healthcare settings.
• 3-5 years of experience is preferred.

Additional Competencies:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Capacity to handle crisis situations and manage emotional and psychological stressors in patients and families.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly with documentation and care planning.

Physical Requirements: Physical requirements are primarily related to the essential functions of any job. To perform the essential functions of this position, you must be able to stand, walk sit, use hands, stoop, talk, and hear.  Must be able to lift or exert energy up to 10 pounds 100% of the time.  Must have close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), and distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more).

Additional Job Description

Education: Bachelor's degree in a social work or social welfare program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Credentials: BSW licensure by the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners.  Certification in case management preferred.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees