The Behavioral Health Social Worker, a licensed  Master’s or Bachelor’s  prepared health care professional, is responsible for the delivery of specific departmental services and for carrying out the philosophy and objectives established by Administration and the Board of Directors.  Foremost among these responsibilities are the following:  1) finding appropriate discharge services including placement; 2) delivery of competent and timely professional services that are in accordance with overall institutional goals and policies and social work ethical commitments; 3)  the process of assisting in alleviating social and environmental problems; and 4) participation in the development of professional team objectives.

St. Luke’s C.A.R.E. delivery model (Continuity, Accountability, Relationship-based, Evidence-based) reflects a commitment to compassionate, competent care delivered by the interdisciplinary team.  Care is provided through a therapeutic relationship with the patient and family. A spirit of inquiry is encouraged and supported.  Evidence-driven protocols are utilized to assure reliable and consistent care.

The Social Worker reports to the Administrative Director of Behavioral Health Services, who in turn reports to the Vice President of Operations.

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Key Accountabilities

• The associate is aware of hospital and department compliance 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 department or hospital administrative staff.
• Purposefully conducts all aspects of the job in an ethical manner in support of the hospital’s commitment to ethical behavior in all areas of personal and professional activity.
• Successfully completes hospital-wide orientation, annual hospital competencies and department/unit specific competencies.
• For the safety of our patients and co-workers, St. Luke’s Hospital requires seasonal and job related vaccinations.  This is reviewed regularly during periodic health assessments.
• Ensures that social and emotional needs of individuals or groups are met through counseling in collaboration with patients and health professionals.
• Demonstrates advanced social work knowledge and competency.
• Provides direct services for patients/families exhibiting psychosocial needs.
• Collaborates with hospital staff to complete social history/assessment information as needed.
• Documents meaningful, concise and timely clinical notes, social histories/assessments, and discharge planning notes.   
• Participates with hospital staff on an interdisciplinary and professional basis and assists in planning, implementing and evaluating a patient’s plan of care.
• Maintains quality of care related to the hospital’s expectation for quality discharge planning services.
• Assesses patient/family discharge needs upon referral or by case finding.
• Provides comprehensive psychosocial assessments relevant to the hospital treatment services.
• Collaborates with the care coordinator in determining who will refer patients/families to the appropriate health care professionals and/or community agencies outside the hospital.
• Continually expands own knowledge and other staff on current resources available.
• Clearly communicates discharge planning concerns in a timely manner.
• Documents patient discharge plan in a centralized area in the electronic medical record.
• Provides services and care consistent with the hospital’s Standards of Excellence, which enhances the hospital environment and image.
• Facilitates cooperative formal and informal working relationships with other departments and medical staff.
• Facilitates resolution of intra, interdepartmental and medical staff conflicts.
• Ensures patient, family, and visitor satisfaction with services provided.
• Ensures that written/verbal representation of programs and services are consistent with desired hospital standards.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and assists in identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Communication and Handoffs
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills with patients, families, healthcare team members and other customers.  Verbal communication is clear and precise.  Written communication is done in a timely manner using approved abbreviations.
• Computer documentation is done in accordance with hospital and department policies.
• A critical component of our C.A.R.E. Model is the relationship between the patient and the caregiver.  That relationship is built by time, communication and demonstrating compassion.  “Take 5” (taking 5 minutes) is used to make a personal connection with the patient/family to provide the care you would want your loved ones to receive.  The connection adheres to all Standards of Excellence.
• Handoffs are done with attention to detail and with safety as a high priority.  Tools such as SBAR are consistently utilized to assure that critical information is clearly communicated, shared and updated with each handoff.  SBAR handoffs are utilized to communicate patient treatment and assessment information, patient education needs, goals of care and other quality measures.
• Ensures continuity of care with internal patient transfers through verbal report from Patient Care Coordinator to Social Worker and verbal or written report from to Social Worker to Social Worker.
• Facilitates patient and family conferences, as appropriate.
• Supports evidence based clinical practice and questions the rationale and scientific basis for clinical practice and/or changes in practice
• Complies with changes in clinical practice and standards
• Participates in data collection when the opportunity is presented.
• Supports/participates in interpretation of clinical literature and uses to validate and/or change clinical practice.
• Demonstrates flexibility and self-direction in meeting patient and unit needs by responding as a team player
• Assesses and provides for educational opportunities for patients, families, and other healthcare team members based on adult teaching-learning concepts and health literacy principles.
• Integrates patient/family teaching throughout the hospitalization.
• Assists in the orientation of new associates by acting as a resource or by being a mentor to associates.
• Provides professional leadership through compliance with established department routines, policies and procedures.  
• Assists in creating a positive work environment that contributes to safety and positive clinical outcomes.  Supports recruitment and retention of staff to ensure an adequate workforce for clinical care.
• Establishes professional competence through the processes of continuing education, clinical reporting and inservices.
• Evidences ability to apply professional judgement when working with patients and families.
• Possesses an acceptable knowledge of professional terms and concepts.
• Prepares meaningful, concise and timely clinical reports.
• Exhibits familiarity with current professional literature.
• Accepts responsibility for in-servicing colleagues, affiliating students, and others.
• Participates in mandatory education and staff meetings, per established guidelines.
• Encouraged to make and support improvement in department and hospital practices through participation in shared governance and performance improvement activities at the department and hospital wide level.
• Complies with established safety goals, infection prevention and risk management policies and procedures.
• Maintains and promotes a professional philosophy of community involvement by participation in professional community activities.
• Attends and/or conducts educational offerings.
• Speaks to hospital and community groups.
• Participates in health related activities and groups.
• Reviews reports and adjusts practices in the social service area in order to meet necessary regulatory and legal standards.
• Assists with the planning and monitoring of performance improvement activities ensuring any necessary corrective action and activities assigned.
• Assists in effectively preparing and complying with voluntary accreditation (Joint Commission) as accepted by the hospital and with federal and state laws and regulations.
• Performs other duties as deemed necessary to meet the hospital’s mission, “to give the healthcare we’d like our loved ones to receive.”