Medical Social Worker, Outpatient Palliative Medicine, Full-time Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Medical Social Worker- SL reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

• Through provision of medical social work services, the NMHH&H - Medical Social Worker assists patients and families with personal and environmental difficulties which predispose them toward illness or interferes with obtaining maximum benefits from medical care.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates NM values in daily work and interactions.
• Presents a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor and appearance.
• Provides accurate information and timely updates to patients and customers. Addresses questions and concerns promptly, or identifies appropriate person and resources to do so. Provides directions or help to patients and customers with finding their way.
• Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur.
• Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments. Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others.
• Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently.
• Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
• Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement.
• Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide.
• Provides timely and direct medical social work services to patients referred by CNS staff in accordance with physician orders.
• Assesses social and emotional factors limiting patients' medical treatment plan and assists patient/family with community resources as indicated.
• Consults with the physician and health team members to assist them in understanding significant psychosocial factors relating to the patient's health and problems.
• Provides counseling to patient/family for short term and long term planning and decision making to ensure appropriate interventions are implemented.
• Completes required communications to all staff involved in patient care.
• Attends in person, departmental in-services, meetings, and assigned PI activities. If unable to attend, videos and/or minutes must be read and signed.
• Completes required case communication with UM in a timely manner.
• Checks voicemail messages before patient care begins and after patient care has ended for the day.

ADDENDUM:

• Facilitates mental health assessment and treatment in all care settings, either directly, in consultation, or through referral to specialist level psychological and/or psychiatric care.
• Is instrumental in facilitating goals of care discussions and in the development of an interdisciplinary patient/family centered care plan.
• Advocates patient and family needs to Palliative Medicine Supportive Care (PMSC) team members and referring healthcare teams.
• Facilitates PMSC continuity of care through engagement in the coordination of care with inpatient and outpatient PMSW team members, other Social Workers, Clinical Resource Managers and/or other departments (including hospice informational visits and consents).
• Encourages and helps to facilitate completion of Advance Care planning documents.
• Attends and participates in weekly IDT meetings and daily huddles when assigned to work.

Required:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Two years of social work experience in the community home health area or hospital setting

Preferred:

• N/A

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.