CRM SOCIAL SERVICES LEAD

The CRM Social Services Lead provides professional practice support to the Social Work staff and advocates for patients and their families as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. This role focuses on identifying and overcoming barriers to care progression and ensuring safe, coordinated discharges to the community. The Social Services Lead assists patients and families facing challenges such as parenting issues, substance use, adjustment to illness, trauma, bereavement, and mental health difficulties. The position also addresses sensitive issues including elder abuse, child abuse, sexual assault, and patient abuse. The CRM Social Services Lead reports directly to the CRM Manager, CM/SW.

Essential Job Duties

• Conduct psychosocial assessments to evaluate family relationships, home environment, emotional status, coping resources, and post-hospital needs.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, and allied health professionals to develop and implement care plans that address psychosocial barriers and promote progression of care.
• Develop timely, effective discharge and continuity-of-care plans in collaboration with case managers, social workers, and the healthcare team.
• Advocate for patients and families to ensure their rights, preferences, and psychosocial needs are respected throughout the care process.
• Provide crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and advocacy to assist patients and families with adjustment to illness, hospitalization, or alternative care placement.
• Facilitate family conferences to support informed decision-making and resolve care-related concerns.
• Report and coordinate mandated child, elder, and patient abuse or neglect cases as required by law.
• Document interventions, care plans, and progress notes accurately in the medical record in compliance with departmental standards.
• Educate patients and families on coping strategies, treatment options, and available community resources.
• Establish and maintain effective professional relationships with patients, families, payers, and external case managers.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care goals, barriers, and discharge readiness.
• Ensure adherence to all regulatory standards related to the delivery and reimbursement of acute care services.
• Educate patients and families about coping strategies, treatment plans, and available resources. Provide training and support to other healthcare professionals on social work-related topics. Assist in developing and revising policies.

Nonessential Job Duties

• Assist in the development and revision of departmental policies supporting counseling and progression-of-care activities.
• Serve as a resource for physicians, billing, and compliance staff regarding coverage and documentation issues.
• Support departmental audits and quality assurance activities by reviewing staff assessments and documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Participate in community outreach or education efforts as assigned.
• Collaborate with the post-acute care continuum and other departments to facilitate referrals to local, state, and federal resources post-discharge.
• Keep current with emerging best practices in hospital-based social work and case management.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to staff in developing professional competencies.
• Use age-appropriate and culturally sensitive communication techniques when working with diverse patient populations, including the geriatric population.

Experience/Education Requirements:

•  Masters degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution. 
•    Current Illinois Social Worker license 
•  Recent work experience in the health care or insurance industry.

License or Certification Requirements:

•  LSW
• Other relevant social work certifications are a plus

Required Experience

Minimum 2 years of experience in a clinical social work role, preferable within a healthcare setting.

Preferred Experience

• Strong assessment, counseling and crisis intervention skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
• Proficiency in electronic health records EHR) and social work documentation
• Knowledge of community resources, healthcare regulations, and patient advocacy principles
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Commitment to providing patients-centered and continuous professional development
• Recent experience in the healthcare industry

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements: 

Exposure to:

Chemicals: Refer to MSDS Sheets

Video Display Terminals: Extreme

Blood and Body Fluids: Minimal potential

TB or Airborne Pathogens: Minimal potential

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

Speech: Needed for presentations, training, telephone communication, facilitating meetings.

Vision: Needed for computer entry, reading memos and literature.

Smell: Needed for electrical/fire safety.

Hearing: Needed for telephone communication, meetings and listening to employee concerns.

Touch: Needed for writing, computer entry, filing.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

Sit: 50%

Twist: 0%

Stand: 35%

Crawl: 0%

Walk: 10%

Kneel: 0%

Lift: 5%

Drive: 0%

Squat: 0%

Climb: 0%

Bend: 0%

Reach above shoulders: 0%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

Up to 10 lbs: Occasionally

Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally

Up to 35 lbs: Not Required

Up to 50 lbs: Not Required

Up to 75 lbs: Not Required

Up to 100 lbs: Not Required

Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Brief case, notebook, computer, printed material-transported from one location/meeting to another.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

Sit: 480

Twist: 0

Stand: 240

Crawl: 0

Walk: 60

Kneel: 0

Lift: 5

Drive: 0

Squat: 0

Climb: 0

Bend: 0

Reach above shoulders: 0

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. Normal weight:

Pushing & pulling Normal weight:

Fine Manipulation: Calculator, keyboard, writing instruments

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Not Required

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

Inside hours: 8

Outside hours : 0

Temperature: Normal Range

Lighting: Average

Noise levels: Average

Humidity: Normal Range

Atmosphere:

Special Hazards: None

Protective Clothing Required: None

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more so your journey at and away from work is remarkable. Our Total Rewards package includes: 

Compensation

• Base compensation within the positions pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program