Medical Social Worker (BSW) jobs in Iowa

As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the Social Worker contributes professional social work knowledge and skills in the provision of services that support patient and family access to health care and addresses psychosocial factors that influence a patient’s health. Works in various areas of the hospital providing direct care and support, transition planning and facilitation and advocacy.

Why UnityPoint Health? 

• Commitment to our Team – We’ve been named a  Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare 2022  by Becker’s Healthcare for our commitment to our team members. 
• Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you Come for a fulfilling career and experience  a culture  guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve. 
• Benefits – Our competitive  Total Rewards  program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. 
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment – We’re committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. 
• Development – We believe equipping you with support and  development opportunities  is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience. 
• Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve. 

Visit us at UnityPoint.org/careers to hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work.  https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org/  

Patient Care

• Appropriately identifies patients who require social work assessment and intervention based on clinical assessment and hospital policy.
• Knowledgeable and able to provide social work assessment and intervention for all age groups infant through geriatric.
• Performs psychosocial assessment of the patient to identify priority needs, strengths, patient preferences and barriers to care.
• Provides immediate crisis intervention and support to patients/families to enhance their ability to cope with the impact of health conditions including mental health and substance abuse.
• Assesses grief issues and offers bereavement support.
• Educates patient/family regarding Advanced Directives and refers them to trained facilitators for conversations and completion of Advanced Care Planning documents with patients/surrogate decision makers including IPOST/IPOLST.
• Assists with planning for and facilitation of care transitions. Collaborates with community services and facilities to support patient safety and continuity of care.
• Completes PASRR or other screening tools when appropriate for transition to another care provider.
• Documents assessments, interventions, and referrals in the electronic health record according to documentation standards.
• Facilitates financial resources for patients and assists with financial aid process.

Education and Advocacy

• Serves as a patient/family advocate in support of patient confidentiality, informed consent, patient autonomy, and self-determination.
• Assesses patient safety to identify possible abuse, neglect or other risks to safety. Collaborates with the care team to address safety issues and files DHS reports and/or guides others in the process as mandated.
• Provides information and support with guardianship and conservatorship issues.
• Supports culturally competent services and assists with arranging interpreter services as needed.
• Provides education to the patient/family regarding available services and supports and assists the patient to access those they are eligible for.
• Provides information and education to physician and other team members in understanding the psychosocial implications of illness and disease progression for the patient/family.
• Participates in mentoring new employees and/or supervising social work interns as requested.

Care Coordination/Transition Support

• Identifies patient transitional needs by assessing psychosocial, environmental, financial, and cultural strengths and barriers.
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of community resources and acts as a liaison to refer patients/families to health and social services, health insurance, public assistance, and other resources to meet patient identified needs.
• Provides expertise and plays a key role with the care team in establishing patient-centered goals of care and identifying psychosocial and behavioral strengths and barriers.
• Contributes to the comprehensive, longitudinal plan of care based on patient-centric goals and coping strategies.
• Facilitates and/or participates in interdisciplinary team meetings to review and revise the patient plan of care.
• Facilitates patient/family meetings to enhance family support of the patient’s care.
• Collaborates with social workers and other professionals across the continuum and in the community to ensure continuity of care.

Basic UPH Performance Criteria

• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff. Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.