Director of Social Worker/ Palliative Care - St. John's Riverside Hospital

St. John's Riverside Hospital is a leader in providing the highest quality, compassionate health care utilizing the latest, state-of-the-art medical technology. Serving the Westchester community from Yonkers to the river town communities of Hastings-on-Hudson, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry and Irvington, St. John's Riverside has been and continues to be a unique and comprehensive network of medical professionals dedicated to a tradition of service that spans generations.

St. John’s has been an integral part of the community since the 1890's and its’ commitment to provide the community with the most advanced medical services available continues to be the hospitals’ vision, mission and value. St. John's Riverside Hospital built itself around an early foundation of nursing and community service. In 1894, the Cochran School of Nursing, the oldest hospital-based school of nursing in the metropolitan area, was founded, thus making the St. John's Nursing Staff more than just the backbone of the hospital, but the heart and soul. St. John’s dedicated nurses give superior attention to those who need it most with a strong emphasis on patient and family-focused nursing care.   

St. John’s Riverside Hospital staff is committed to making life better for all patients. The hospital continues to elevate the services provided with the goal of increasing the quality of life for all who entrust St. John's Riverside Hospital to their care.

Personalized care together with advanced technology is what it means to be Community Strong

The Director of Social Work/ Palliative Care works closely with the Senior Director of Case Management and Director of Case Management to develop and manage the provision of discharge planning and social work services in a designated area of responsibility within the Acute Division at St. John’s Riverside Hospital. The Director of Social Work oversees the professional practice of Social Workers and other personnel to ensure that hospital-wide and department policies and procedures are followed with respect to Social work assessment and intervention, discharge planning, monitoring, staff performance, performance improvement activities, cultural competence, ethic/legal considerations and compliance with Joint Commission Standards and state and federal regulatory guidelines for discharge planning and Social Work services.

The Director of Social Work/ Palliative Care is a designee of the Senior Director of Case Management  and is independent and autonomous in representing the Department as a member of senior leadership to develop coordinated strategies that facilitate patient throughput and discharge planning while ensuring that Social Work services adhere to ethical, cultural competent and regulatory standards put forth by the NASW, Joint Commission, DOH, DMC and any other federal, state or local governing body. The Director, Social Work leads an interdisciplinary effort to provide timely and accurate assessment and discharge planning for patients with high risk needs while avoiding duplication of effort and promoting service excellence.

The Director of Social Work/ Palliative Care works closely with the Palliative Care Nursing Director and team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Social Work/ Palliative Care in coordination with the Palliative Care Nursing Director:

Assures holistic nursing care to inpatients & outpatients in collaboration with health care professionals to optimize patient outcome.

Responsible for planning and organizing visits by prioritizing according to the individual needs of the patient and those who matter to them. This may include the complex assessment of individuals who are cognitively challenged. Develops educational programs related to holistic nursing.

Responsible for maintaining effective communication with patients, families &health care professionals at SJRH through written correspondence, telephone consultation & bedside/ unit visits.

Responsible for identifying end of life care needs, discussing Advance Care Planning and Preferred Place of Care in Timely and sensitive manner.

Works closely with patient’s interdisciplinary care team, including chaplains, social workers, Nurse Practitioners and Attending Physicians.

Will work closely with the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and community partners regarding end of life issues/ processes.

Accountable for ensuring clinical support coverage and training across common areas of coverage for SWs to ensure staffing and service standards for IP and ED coverage.

Works with Hospital leadership to meet the goals of the hospital in supporting the services.

Works with the Director of Case management to oversee financial performance of Case management, including development of the budget, supply chain initiatives, and personnel expenses.

In Partnership with the Medical Director of Quality and Safety, Manager of QI/QC, and hospital leadership, ensures compliance with current Joint Commission (TJC) standards.

Facilitates learning needs of self and staff by providing opportunities for staff development to gain skills necessary to provide care to patients and to ensure competency and current knowledge in the profession.

Leads and collaborates on specific projects as it relates to operations and process improvement.

Standardizes operating procedures and effectively troubleshoots and resolves issues as they arise. Works with the Manager for Quality and Safety to maintain existing policies and identify new policies. Ensures management and staff have knowledge of existing policies and communicates inter and intradepartmental policy and procedure changes to management and staff.

Ensures all clinical licenses and other documentation are maintained and that the Department meets the guidelines for ACR, NYS DOH and Joint Commission.

Develops a collaborative relationship with key stakeholders, including other departments and physicians to obtain feedback, support, and promote the department’s operational and strategic goals, and maintain the highest standards of quality care, patient safety, and customer service.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs other related assigned duties.

Performs unrelated duties in times of emergency.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB

Sitting, standing, walking, and bending

May require movement throughout the building during the workday.

Must be able to lift, push, pull and move a minimum of 35 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment

Well-lighted ventilated office

Travel between the facilities associated with Riverside Health Care System

Licensed and currently registered as master’s in social work (LMSW) or clinical social work (LCSW).5 or more years in experience in social services/discharge planning position including at least 3 years in a hospital setting.Health care management experience preferred.Knowledge of service delivery system in New York.Knowledge of professional SW standards.Knowledge of health care reimbursement and managed care policies and requirements.

Understanding of performance improvement principles. Master’s Degree in Social Work required.