Relief, Days
Social Services Specialist Pay range: $37.73 - $56.60
Licensed Pay Range: Pay range: $40.75 - $61.14
Relief Differential: 15% in lieu of benefits
ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Social Services Specialist
REPORTS TO POSITION: Manager or Director of Care Coordination for Social
Services
DEPARTMENT: Social Services
DATE LAST REVIEWED: August 2024
OUR VISION: Creating America’s healthiest
community, together
OUR MISSION: In the spirit of love and
compassion, better health, better care, better value
OUR VALUES: Accountability, Caring and Teamwork
DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: St. Charles Health System’s Social Services Specialist may
support any one, or a combination of the following social services departments:
Emergency Room, Family Birthing, NICU, Pediatrics, Inpatient Medical Units,
Inpatient Rehabilitation, Hospice, Home Health, or Behavioral Health. These
departments provide system-wide support including, but not limited to working
with a multi-disciplinary team to assess needs of patients and families, provide
supportive assessments, therapeutic interventions, counseling resource
referrals, care coordination for hospice, and long-term care placement funding
and services. These departments may also provide the physical, emotional,
mental, and spiritual needs of patient and family from admission through
bereavement utilizing an interdisciplinary approach to care that includes
physicians, registered nurses, chaplains, social workers, volunteers, and
counselors. These departments may additionally provide identified services as
needed to support those affected by chronic or acute illness.
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Social Services Specialist assists in meeting the
psychosocial needs of patients and their families by helping patients utilize
services to achieve optimum level of function throughout the continuum of care.
In addition, the Social Services Specialist provides supportive counseling,
end-of-life support, care planning, and brief interventions including assessment
and treatment for patients experiencing coexisting medical concerns and
social/behavioral/mental health issues. The Social Services Specialist provides
a therapeutic presence in services to others by purposefully responding to the
needs of patients in a caring way.
This position does not directly manage any other caregivers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
Functions as a member of the Interdisciplinary Care Team to assure care is
accomplished effectively and efficiently in a cost-effective manner and
establishes, reviews and revises the plan of care for each patient.
Coordinates care plans as a consultative service with collaboration of
interdisciplinary teams to address psychosocial needs related to injuries,
accidents, and critical incidents.
Advocates for patient’s needs, ensuring they receive appropriate services and
resources to assist in continuum of care and discharge planning.
Participates with team members in facilitating patient’s and family’s learning
throughout the continuum of care. Reinforces patient’s continued health care
through teaching and referrals, advocates for patient rights, and addresses
barriers to care.
Provides bio-psychosocial and trauma-informed interventions, support, and
referrals to patients and families. Collaborates to identify coping strategies
and support mechanisms. Identifies and communicates community resources, acting
as a resource for patients and families throughout the continuum of care.
Provides brief, evidence-based interventions for emotional distress. Assesses
threats of self-harm or harm to others.
Provides education, support, community resources, and care planning for
palliative care, hospice and bereavement needs.
Conducts comprehensive assessments of economic, mental health, family dynamics,
and social support systems. Evaluates Social Determinants of Health and connects
patients with appropriate resources.
Provides substance abuse assessments and brief interventions (SBIRT, DAST) and
refers to outpatient behavioral health for follow-up for patients scoring
positively on the Columbia Suicide Risk Assessment.
Identifies victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse. Makes
appropriate referrals and notifies the Department of Human Services (DHS) and/or
law enforcement when applicable.
Provides information, education and resource referrals related to advance
directives, power of attorneys, guardianship, conservatorship, and long-term
care services. Assists in navigating legal avenues for guardianship and
navigating pathways through local and state resources.
Gathers and documents data promptly, ensuring compliance with department
standards. Maintains accurate records of patient interactions, assessments, and
interventions. Collaborates with electronic health record systems to document
social work interventions.
Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and
confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and
procedures, supporting the health system’s corporate integrity efforts by acting
in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violations of
applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all company investigations and
proceedings.
Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a timely, efficient, and
accurate way that promotes goodwill.
Supports the vision, mission, and values of the organization in all respects.
Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm,
functioning as a champion of change.
Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients, and guests.
May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as
required or assigned.
EDUCATION:
Required: Master’s level degree in Social Work or Behavioral Sciences.
Preferred: NA
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:
Required: Valid current Oregon driver's license and ability to meet SCHS driving
requirements for Home Health, Hospice and Behavioral Health departments.
Preferred: Accredited Case Manager Certification (ACMA:ACM-SW). Member of the
National Association of Social Worker’s or anther national association
membership.
EXPERIENCE:
Required: One (1) year experience in a healthcare or social work related
field.
Preferred: Two (2) years of experience in a hospital setting.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to
perform the job safely.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Continually (75% or more): Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the
ability to hear normal speech level.
Frequently (50%): Sitting, keyboard operation.
Occasionally (25%): Standing, walking, bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching,
climbing stairs, reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 1-10
pounds, grasping/squeezing, operation of a motor vehicle, ability to hear
whispered speech level.
Never (0%): Climbing ladder/step-stool, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling
11-50 pounds.
Exposure to Elemental Factors
Occasionally (25%): Chemical solution for Laboratory Caregivers.
Rarely (10%): Wet/slippery area.
Never (0%): Heat, cold, noise, dust, vibration, chemical solution, uneven
surface.
Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category
Risk for Exposure to BBP
Licensed Social Services Specialist Requirements:
EDUCATION:
Required: Master’s level degree in Social Work or Behavioral Sciences.
Preferred: N/A
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:
Required: Oregon licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW) or Licensed
Professional Counselor (LPC)
Valid current Oregon driver's license and ability to meet SCHS driving
requirements for Home Health, Hospice and Behavioral Health departments.
Preferred: Accredited Case Manager Certification (ACMA:ACM-SW). Member of the
National Association of Social Worker’s or another national association
membership.
EXPERIENCE:
Required: One (1) year experience in a healthcare or social work related field.
Preferred: Two (2) years of experience in a hospital setting.
Schedule Weekly Hours:
0
Caregiver Type:
Relief
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Is Exempt Position?
No
Job Family:
SPECIALIST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SOCIAL SERVICES
Scheduled Days of the Week:
Variable with Call
Shift Start & End Time: