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Purpose of the Lead Social Worker:

In addition to staff level Social Work responsibilities for unit specific or service line specific population, assists in the operational activities of staff in the Care Management Department including the facilitation of care and services to patients and families across the continuum of illness. Coordinate and assist with staff orientation, staff mentoring, LCSW Supervision and other operational issues in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.

Responsibilities:

+ Participates in the development/revision of departmental policies and procedures. Maintains and updates resource materials for staff. Develops internal and external customer relationships. Identifies customer needs, develops systems to monitor satisfaction and develops plans to address areas of dissatisfaction.

+ Examines and implements strategies to reduce patient complications and resource consumption for the patient population. Can function independently and effectively to solve problems.

+ Appropriately refers problem cases to the Social Work Manager/Director and /or medical staff leadership for expedient action or problem resolution.

+ Successfully utilize therapeutic counseling methods such as crisis intervention, psychosocial support, brief goal-directed therapy, CISM and/or other appropriate therapeutic methods that may be appropriate to the clinical situation.

+ Serve as a resource to clinical teams for clinical documentation requirements, complex psychosocial needs, level of care, insurance cover issues, specific payer and government policies and post-acute services coverage and availability.

+ Facilitates and arbitrates differences and disagreements. Uses diplomacy and negotiation skills to mediate conflict and achieve team objectives, incorporates and promotes service excellence principles and strategies into daily work.

+ Promotes patient safety and supports TJC, CMS and DOH requirements.

+ Participates in the development of division goals and objectives in conjunction with the hospitals mission, strategic priorities and performance improvement plan.

+ Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with the medical staff and health care team.

+ Utilizes innovative strategies to meet patient care needs when the plan of care meets or exceeds health benefits coverage limitations.

+ Facilitates the development of educational materials for the department including an orientation program, job specific competencies and continuing education. Acts as a mentor to staff to ensure departmental standards are met. Provides input to the Manger/Director in the evaluation of staff and participates in the performance review process.

+ Demonstrate the ability to identify, assess, counsel and effectively intervene with medically and psychosocially complex patients with the ability to understand complex dynamics related to the clinical situation.

+ Audits and evaluates the daily activities of Social Work staff including psychosocial assessments, documentation in the inpatient and outpatient records, interdisciplinary rounds.

+ Provides clinical supervision to social work colleagues looking to obtain a clinical social work license.

+ Represents the discipline of social work on hospital, community or other committees of interest.

+ Assists in the daily activities of the Social Work staff including making adjustments to staffing assignments as indicated.

+ Demonstrate appropriate professional practice, maintaining respect for confidentiality and freedom of choice as outlined by the Code of Ethics by the National Association of Social Workers as well as the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.

+ MSW degree from a CSWE accredited School of Social Work required.

+ 4 or more years of relevant clinical social work experience required.

+ Analytical skills necessary to assess the care needs of complex patients to affect patient/family quality of life.

+ Ability to make complex decisions relative to the plan of care and to interpret this to the multidisciplinary team of professionals.

+ Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact with other health care professionals, patients and families. **Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:**

+ Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

+ Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran