The Medical Case Worker comprehensively assesses the healthcare and social needs of Trauma Recovery Center clients, performing initial needs assessments, identifying resource needs, and driving the creation and follow-through of case management plans in collaboration with clinical teams. This role involves arranging for ongoing care, completing out-of-home placements, and providing direct services to address environmental difficulties precipitated by illness.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess professional casework experience involving interviewing, counseling, and assisting clients with social problems, along with excellent documentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills. A Bachelor's degree is required along with professional casework experience, and proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat software is necessary.
The Medical Case Worker (MCW) performs duties under the supervision of a Clinical Social Work Supervisor.
MCW will help comprehensively assess healthcare and social needs of Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) clients.
MCW should also demonstrate knowledge of and ability to complete out of home placements in accordance with the regulations and limitations imposed by various agencies and insurance company’s guidelines.
MCW should also have practical knowledge of the government entitlement programs and community resources.
This role will also include community-based medical case management.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include, but are not limited to
Complete initial needs assessment intake with TRC clients both in the hospital and in the community
Interview patients, family members, and friends, to obtain information about home environment, family relationships, and personality traits that may have a bearing on the patient's/client's medical and mental health, treatment and recovery.
Identify needs and to refer to inter-hospital and community resources (i.e. Patient Financial Services, emergency food and clothing, conservatorship, etc.) or to other appropriate providers (i.e. Clinical Social Worker, etc.).
Assess needs in relationship to patient’s cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs.
Drive creation of case management plan in coordination with community health workers and mental health clinicians
Collaborate with community health workers and mental health clinicians to follow up on completion and follow through of case management plan
Complete out-of-home placements to lower level of care facilities (such as Subacute, Skilled Nursing Facility, Assisted Living, Board and Care, Recuperative Care, Sober Living and Shelters) in a timely manner when applicable
Performs a variety of direct services such as arranging for ongoing or post-operative care at home, assessing adequacy of home care services facilities, and assisting patients/clients and families in arranging for and accepting nursing home care and extended care facilities when applicable.
Places patients/clients suffering with mental or emotional disorders in board and care homes, intermediate care homes, residential facilities, private hospitals, VA hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities, depending upon psychiatric reports and personal interviews with patient/client when applicable.
Assists the patient/client and family members with environmental difficulties precipitated by the illness by arranging for child care services, for foster home, or by assisting to secure homemaker or attendant care services; develops resources for providing equipment, supplies, prosthetic devices, braces and appliances.
Keeps informed on community health and welfare resources and the variety of programs offered by each.
Makes referrals to and works with various public and private health, mental health or other agencies such as the Department of Public Social Services, Free Clinics, Community Service Centers, etc… to resolve patient'/client's personal and social problems.
Participates in medical rounds and health care team weekly conferences, shares social information, and evaluates the medical and/or mental health status of patients/clients with other health care disciplines (community health worker, clinical social worker, clinical psychologist) to develop the most effective treatment plan for the patient/client.
Facilitates contact with staff and families.
Utilizes environmental data gathered in relation to the medical or mental health problems to make recommendations concerning the provision of services that will ensure maximum benefits for each patient/client.
Provide system intervention and patient advocacy.
Work independently and initiate staff, patient and family contacts.
Communicate effectively both orally and in written form as well as to listen attentively to patient needs.
Report cases of abuse (child, elder, domestic violence) when necessary.
Has a knowledge base of the needs of medical, surgical and intensive care patients, especially in relationship to discharge planning.
May assist in data entry into grant reporting database
May provide the above services outside of the hospital and within the greater community via home visits or meeting clients elsewhere
Job qualifications
Professional casework experience i.e. interviewing, counseling, and assisting patients/clients with social problems (or equivalent experience suggesting competence in ability to do so.)
Excellent documentation and clinical skills, ability to set priorities, work independently,
Excellent follow-up, work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
Experience with complex case management, outreach, and home visits.
Excellent organizational and strong interpersonal skills
Must demonstrate cultural humility and a strengths-based, recovery philosophy
Must be able to move between different treatment approaches (clinical case management and evidence-based, trauma-focused psychotherapy) depending on the needs of the client.
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Proficient with Adobe Acrobat software
Knowledge of the functioning of the healthcare setting
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Excellent organization and time management skills.
Record keeping, administration, and other duties
Maintain client records according to California, City, and County requirements
Documents all patient care assessments, interventions, and treatment progress in applicable system (ORCHID CPRS in a timely and professional manner consistent with Joint Commission and State standards
Assists in data collection for program evaluation and research purposes; works collaboratively with those conducting primary research and evaluation efforts
Attends staff meetings and other assigned meetings; participates in training sessions
Performs other related duties as assigned and needed for the function of the TRC
Education/Experience
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND professional casework experience interviewing, counseling, and assisting patients/clients with social problems (or equivalent experience suggesting competence in ability to do so).
Bilingual Spanish strongly preferred but not mandatory.
Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Successful clearance of LA County Live Scan Process
Successful Medical Clearance Process
Physical demands
Stand: Frequently
Walk: Frequently
Sit: Frequently
Handling / Fingering: Occasionally
Reach Outward: Occasionally
Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
Lift / Carry
Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
Push/Pull
Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
See: Constantly
Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable
Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)
Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)
Work environment: Hybrid Schedule (in office and remote) General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled
May include field outreach as treatment centers or community based organizations
Eeoc statement
It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.
