Medical Case Worker II (Healthcare)

Salary Range: $24.34-$35.11 per hour

SUMMARY

The Medical Case Worker (MCW) performs duties under the supervision of a Clinical Social Work Supervisor.  MCW will help comprehensively assess healthcare and social needs of Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) clients. MCW should also demonstrate knowledge of and ability to complete out of home placements in accordance with the regulations and limitations imposed by various agencies and insurance company's guidelines. MCW should also have practical knowledge of the government entitlement programs and community resources. This role will also include community-based medical case management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include, but are not limited to:

• Complete initial needs assessment intake with TRC clients both in the hospital and in the community
• Interview patients, family members, and friends, to obtain information about home environment, family relationships, and personality traits that may have a bearing on the patient's/client's medical and mental health, treatment and recovery.
• Identify needs and to refer to inter-hospital and community resources (i.e. Patient Financial Services, emergency food and clothing, conservatorship, etc.) or to other appropriate providers (i.e. Clinical Social Worker, etc.).
• Assess needs in relationship to patient's cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs.
• Drive creation of case management plan in coordination with community health workers and mental health clinicians
• Collaborate with community health workers and mental health clinicians to follow up on completion and follow through of case management plan
• Complete out-of-home placements to lower level of care facilities (such as Subacute, Skilled Nursing Facility, Assisted Living, Board and Care, Recuperative Care, Sober Living and Shelters) in a timely manner when applicable
• Performs a variety of direct services such as arranging for ongoing or post-operative care at home, assessing adequacy of home care services facilities, and assisting patients/clients and families in arranging for and accepting nursing home care and extended care facilities when applicable.
• Places patients/clients suffering with mental or emotional disorders in board and care homes, intermediate care homes, residential facilities, private hospitals, VA hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities, depending upon psychiatric reports and personal interviews with patient/client when applicable.
• Assists the patient/client and family members with environmental difficulties precipitated by the illness by arranging for child care services, for foster home, or by assisting to secure homemaker or attendant care services; develops resources for providing equipment, supplies, prosthetic devices, braces and appliances.
• Keeps informed on community health and welfare resources and the variety of programs offered by each.
• Makes referrals to and works with various public and private health, mental health or other agencies such as the Department of Public Social Services, Free Clinics, Community Service Centers, etc… to resolve patient'/client's personal and social problems.
• Participates in medical rounds and health care team weekly conferences, shares social information, and evaluates the medical and/or mental health status of patients/clients with other health care disciplines (community health worker, clinical social worker, clinical psychologist) to develop the most effective treatment plan for the patient/client.
• Facilitates contact with staff and families.
• Utilizes environmental data gathered in relation to the medical or mental health problems to make recommendations concerning the provision of services that will ensure maximum benefits for each patient/client.
• Provide system intervention and patient advocacy.
• Work independently and initiate staff, patient and family contacts.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in written form as well as to listen attentively to patient needs.
• Report cases of abuse (child, elder, domestic violence) when necessary.
• Has a knowledge base of the needs of medical, surgical and intensive care patients, especially in relationship to discharge planning.
• May assist in data entry into grant reporting database
• May provide the above services outside of the hospital and within the greater community via home visits or meeting clients elsewhere

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional casework experience i.e. interviewing, counseling, and assisting patients/clients with social problems (or equivalent experience suggesting competence in ability to do so.)
• Excellent documentation and clinical skills, ability to set priorities, work independently,
• Excellent follow-up, work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Experience with complex case management, outreach, and home visits.
• Excellent organizational and strong interpersonal skills
• Must demonstrate cultural humility and a strengths-based, recovery philosophy
• Must be able to move between different treatment approaches (clinical case management and evidence-based, trauma-focused psychotherapy) depending on the needs of the client. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Proficient with Adobe Acrobat software
• Knowledge of the functioning of the healthcare setting
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills

Record keeping, administration, and other duties

• Maintain client records according to California, City, and County requirements
• Documents all patient care assessments, interventions, and treatment progress in applicable system (ORCHID CPRS in a timely and professional manner consistent with Joint Commission and State standards
• Assists in data collection for program evaluation and research purposes; works collaboratively with those conducting primary research and evaluation efforts
• Attends staff meetings and other assigned meetings; participates in training sessions
• Performs other related duties as assigned and needed for the function of the TRC

Education/Experience

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND professional casework experience interviewing, counseling, and assisting patients/clients with social problems (or equivalent experience suggesting competence in ability to do so).
• Bilingual Spanish strongly preferred but not mandatory

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Successful clearance of LA County Live Scan Process
• Successful Medical Clearance Process

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Stand: Frequently

Walk: Frequently

Sit: Frequently

Handling / Fingering: Occasionally

Reach Outward: Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally

Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

See: Constantly

Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Hybrid Schedule (in office and remote) General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

May include field outreach as treatment centers or community based organizations

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

See job description