Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
The Social Worker is responsible to act as a liaison and assists in coordinating resources for the care of health plan members with multiple co-morbidities and/or psychosocial needs. The primary scope is to provide counseling and assistance to patients and their families as requested with personal, financial, ethical, and environmental difficulties that predispose patients to illness. The Social Worker acts as an advocate for members and their families linking them to community resources and financial assistance programs for continued growth toward a maximum level of independence. The Social Worker will interact and collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team, which includes physicians, nurses, case managers, pharmacists, laboratory technologists, other social workers, dietitians, and other educators.
The Social Worker (SW) is responsible and accountable for coordination of patient services through an interdisciplinary process, which provides clinical and psychosocial approach through continuum of care. Discharge planning will begin at the time of (or prior to) admission, and reassessed ongoing throughout the course of hospitalization. Provides direct social work/case management services to patients and/or families and hospital staff to ensure needed assessment intervention, support, and referral. Coordinates services with other members of the health care team community wide. Respond to information and referral needs of the community. The foundation of the SW role includes crisis intervention, comprehensive understanding of mental health diagnosis, brief counseling, working collaboratively with community vendors, identifying resource needs, arrange and facilitate meetings with the health care team as needed, problem solving and promoting patient wellness.
This position is per diem (as needed). Employees are required to work any of our shift schedules during our normal business hours. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime. Our hospital location(s) are in Waukesha WI.
We offer 4 weeks of on-the-job training. The hours of the training will be aligned with your schedule.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Coordinates patient care processes to achieve desired quality outcomes and identifies / controls appropriate resource utilization
- Provides skilled interventions for: patient/family support and/or resolution of patient/family crises; facilitating problem-solving and decision-making; advocacy and facilitation necessitated by life-changing events (new diagnosis, abuse, loss of independence, bereavement); and mediation of risk factors and various psychosocial issues
- Assesses need for post-hospital services and community resources at the time of discharge
- Develop plans of care and management plans for patients who frequent the Emergency Department in partnership with patient physician, ED Provider, and community resources
- Support patients, caregivers and/or family with psychosocial or behavioral needs
- Educates patient/family on options and choices available within the appropriate level of care
- Reports child and adult abuse and neglect to community agencies as mandated by law
- Assesses patients who may have experienced violence and makes appropriate reports and referrals
- Educates and collaborates with Care Team on care planning and discharge resources
- Involves staff at the next level of care when appropriate to promote continuity of care
- Interfaces with Department Leaders, Risk Management and patient representatives to identify potential QA or risk issues
- Participates in departmental quality improvement projects
- Initiates all necessary paperwork for all reports, plans of care, referrals, and community resources
- Must be able to functionally coordinate and discharge plan for all age groups, including the unborn child through geriatric age groups
- Is familiar with and expected to comply with all regulatory requirements, including CMS and Joint Commission Standards
You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW)
- 2+ years of experience working in a healthcare setting
- Knowledge of healthcare terminology
- Proven ability to effectively read, write, and speak, cognitively process, and emotionally support performing other duties as assigned
- Ability to work onsite at hospital location(s) in Waukesha WI regional area
- Proven ability to work any of our per diem (as needed) shift schedules during our normal business hours, including flexibility to work both weekday and weekend shifts
Preferred Qualifications:
- ACM - Social Work Certification
- Clinical social work experience
- Hospital discharge planning experience
Soft Skills:
- Critical Thinking skills
- Excellent written and oral skills
- Oral & written communication skills
The hourly range for this role is $28.61 to $56.06 per hour based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
