Covenant Health

Medical Social Worker, Continuum of Care Unit

Full time, 80 hours per pay period, Day shift

8am-4:30pm, Occasional weekends and minor holidays

Parkwest Overview:

Parkwest is West Knoxville’s premier medical facility and a top performing heart hospital. In addition to providing the area’s leading cardiac services, Parkwest has been nationally recognized for award-winning care throughout our facility. For 2020-21 Parkwest received recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Top 10” hospitals in Tennessee.

Continuum of Care:

• The Continuum of Care Department is staffed by a Manager, Coordinator, RN Care Managers, and Masters Level Social Workers. They are involved in the assessment, planning, coordination, evaluation, and facilitation of services to meet the patient’s and family’s comprehensive health needs. Effective and open communication are necessary to promote quality and cost effective outcomes. A multidisciplinary, collaborative, team approach is essential in working to meet the patient/care giver transition of care needs and facilitating a safe discharge. Staff must be patient advocates and aware of community resources. Seasoned and newer employees work together in a challenging, ever changing environment.  The department is staffed 7 days a week. The department works all minor holidays. Scheduling is centered on team and department needs.

Case Managers and Social Workers are available for all patient care areas including the Childbirth Center, SBU, ED, and outpatient areas.The department hires RNs with a minimum of 3 years of experience. Case Management certification is preferred, but not required. There is a career ladder for eligible RNs. New grads and experienced persons are considered for the Masters level Social Worker position.

Position Summary: 

Provides professional social work services to designated patient population, and provides counseling and discharge planning as well as other social work services to patients and families on the assigned units. The general practice of social work in a hospital setting includes interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, supportive counseling, information and referral, problem solving, client education, and advocacy. This position has documented expertise and leadership capability via licensure and advance practice skills via certification.

Recruiter: Jason Shubert || jshuber1@covhlth.com || 865-374-5393

• Assists patients/family/significant other with physical, emotional, and social concerns that arise during the hospital stay.
• Provides discharge planning services to patients needing this service on assigned units.
• Completes required documentation prerequisites for placement/authorizations prior to discharge.
• Completes documents that require a licensed individual to complete.
• Provides oversite in a situation where a licensed individual is required.
• Provides expert training in the field to others, as requested.
• Completes initial assessment and continued documentation to obtain pertinent background/social/ financial data. Documents social determinants of health as indicated in medical record.
• Connects patients/family/significant other with community resources to aid in their treatment and recovery.
• Acts as facility liaison with adult and children protective services as indicated.
• Cooperates with hospital staff and physicians and keeps them informed of progress with patients via verbal communication and chart documentation in medical record.
•  Exhibits the skills of empathy, communication, organization, critical thinking, active listening and patience.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:           

Master’s degree from accredited graduate social work program.

Minimum Experience:         

Two (2) years of experience.

Licensure Requirement:      

Must have and maintain one of the below:             

                                                Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

                                                                        OR

                                                Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW)

                                                                        OR

                                                Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)