Social Worker

Under the direction of the VP of Clinical Operations, this position is responsible to provide frontline services to patients with conditions spanning the entire health care continuum. She/he will be responsible to help patients and their families work through the emotions of a diagnosis and provide counseling about the decisions that need to be made. Social Workers are also essential members of interdisciplinary care teams. In working with doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, this role helps to sensitize other health care providers to the social and emotional aspects of a patient's illness. They use case management skills to help patients and their families address and resolve the social, financial and psychological problems related to their health condition. This employee will be responsible for coordinating all psychosocial community services in accordance with policies, procedures and protocols established by Bakersfield Family Medical Group, Inc. (BFMG), dba Bakersfield Family Medical Center/Heritage Physician Network and Coastal Communities Physician Network, Inc. (Herein, referred to as BFMG/CCPN), standard of practice, licensing, certificate and other regulatory agencies requirements. This position is also responsible for being knowledgeable of community educational programs, and implementing intervention methodologies; acts as a Community Outreach Program coordinator to staff members with or without professional training; functions in such areas as protective services and family services. The Social Worker will interact with other departments, clinic personnel, and outside providers in a professional and friendly manner, to create and maintain a positive relationship with our internal and external customers.

• Evaluation and assistance with appropriate services for patients and families as requested by referral.
• Functions as the Community Outreach liaison for Priority Care and Special Needs Population and other assigned members who may need services.
• Assist with placement options.
• Assist the providers with all documents and forms completion such as: DMVs, Long Term Care Placements, Disability, Transportation, Insurance, Jury Services etc.
• Maintains all statistical data relevant to the Community Outreach Programs. Provides all written reports as requested pertaining to the program.
• Helping patients/families adjust to Priority Care or hospital admission; possible role changes; exploring emotional/social responses to illness and treatment.
• Educating patients on the roles of health care team members; assisting patients and families in communicating with one another and to members of health care team; interpreting information.
• Educating patients on the levels of health care (i.e. acute, sub- acute, home care); entitlements; community resources; and advanced directives.
• Facilitating decision making on behalf of patients and families.
• Employing Crisis Intervention techniques.
• Reporting all observed clinical/social problems to the provider in a timely manner.
• Educating clinical staff on patient psychosocial issues.
• Promoting communication and collaboration among health care team members.
• Coordinating patient discharge and continuity of care planning.
• Promoting patient navigation services.
• Provides home visits as needed to assess patient's needs.
• Participate in ongoing communication with members of the care team that promotes wellness of the Special Needs Population patients.
• Assist with necessary paperwork/applications for admission to programs.
• Makes appropriate referrals to multiple outreach programs for patient and families.
• Performs other duties assigned which are within the scope of the employee skills and training.
• Document all patient communication actions in a focus charting note.
• Helping patients apply for Medi-Cal/IHSS.
• Having a clean driving record in the event pertinent paperwork needs to be completed and dropped off on the patient's behalf.
• Be aware of CCPN's contracted health plan benefits and how to utilize those benefits for patients.
• Having the ability to track active priority care patients with a follow up schedule.
• Ability to act on patient's behalf as a mandated reporter to place APS reports and follow Risk Management protocol.
• Ability to manage Uber account to assist with emergent transportation needs.
• Represent the company at special events providing specialty service information to the community.

8.1 MSW Required.

8.2 1-2 years' experience in providing frontline social services to patients/families

8.2 Experience in an ambulatory health center preferred.

8.3 Experience in Managed Healthcare Organization preferred.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $37.46 and $44.07. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.