Purpose

The Primary Care Social Worker is responsible for providing social service support to Neighborcare Health patients in order to improve access to community services and ability to participate effectively in primary medical and dental care. The Primary Care Social Worker works in partnership and joint accountability with other team members to achieve Neighborcare’s Mission, Guiding Principles and Goals.

Neighborcare Health offers a robust benefit package: Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, 18+ days of Paid Time Off, 9-Paid Holidays, Retirement with Matching, Life & AD&D, Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, & More! This position is eligible for the Staff Referral Program.

In this position you will:

Provide high quality social services support to referred patients in a timely manner, and in line with Neighborcare’s current productivity and scheduling expectations.  This includes assessing needs, assisting individuals to access and navigate community services, and sometimes following up to ensure that services are received. Examples include, but are not limited to: Housing and emergency shelter placement Clothing, food and hygiene resources    Medical appointments and specialty referrals Referrals to community behavioral health resources Application for appropriate benefits, e.g. DSHS programs, Social Security, Medicare, VA, etc. Child or Adult Protective Services Parenting support services Transportation services Older adult services Maintain updated knowledge of entitlement programs, including DSHS, Medicaid, and Social Security and their requirements.  Maintain updated knowledge of community resources and organizations that provide needed services to our patients. Develop and maintain relationships with outside service providers and represent Neighborcare Health’s mission and programs in a professional manner.  Work cooperatively as a member of the clinic health care team, including involvement in case consultation, and participation in ongoing coordination of treatment with the primary care medical and dental teams. Work cooperatively as a member of the broader Primary Care Social Work team, including information sharing and assistance in covering patient care duties during times of other team members’ leave.  Work cooperatively with clinic reception and other support staff to maximize patient access to social work services Provide case management services for high risk patients as directed by Primary Care Providers and RNs. This includes maintaining regular contact with referred patients, and assisting them in utilizing appropriate support services. Assist primary care teams to document social and family histories in the EMR for patients receiving social work services. Observe impeccable professional ethics and confidentiality in working with clients.  Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on each client in the EMR. Document all case management functions, including referrals, advocacy and all significant communications with patients and collateral contacts.  Complete 100% of chart notes within 24 hours of visit

Key Skills, Knowledge, & Abilities 

Required for this job:

Attend site staff meetings as directed by Clinic Administrator Attend Social Work Team meetings as directed by Social Work Supervisor Attend professional education programs to enhance professional skills as needed or required. Knowledge of and experience working in a healthcare setting and within interdisciplinary teams Knowledge of and proficient in the use of personal computers with the ability to learn and use required software programs Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing Ability to demonstrate cultural competence in dealing respectfully with a variety of clients, in terms of ethnic, socio-economic, age, sexual preference, and gender characteristics Ability to establish rapport and communicate effectively with patients and providers Ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive patient information Ability to meet and comply with HIPAA/Confidentiality policies and procedures Ability to follow written and verbal directions and to complete assigned tasks Ability to be detail orientated, multi-task, organize, problem solve and follow up on tasks Ability to read, write and communicate in English Ability to learn from directions, observations and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment Ability to work independently or as part of a team; ability to interact appropriately with co-workers and patients Ability to work with supervision, receiving instructions/feedback, coaching/counseling and or action/discipline Ability to effectively perform job duties under high levels of activity, variety of conditions and restraints

Required qualifications:

Master of Social Work degree OR bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field along with a minimum of 2 years of social services experience.

Experience working with patients of diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. Experience working with patients with psychiatric conditions, substance use disorders, homelessness, low-income, chronic medical conditions, and life-threatening illness.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred

Our Mission
The mission of Neighborcare Health is to provide comprehensive health care to families and individuals who have difficulty accessing care; respond with sensitivity to the needs of our culturally diverse patients; and advocate and work with others to improve the overall health status of the communities we serve.

About our Service Commitments
Our service commitments were created by staff members, leaders, board members and patients.  We use these as a guide and expectation for how we treat our patients and each other.  You may learn more about our service commitments here, https://neighborcare.org/about-us/service-commitments/

Serving patients Serving each other A warm welcome Caring Respect Working together Trusting Relationship

About us
For 50 years, Neighborcare Health has been caring for our neighbors with essential medical and dental care, counseling, outreach, health education and more in Seattle, Vashon, and our newest dental clinic in Olympia!  Our purpose is to improve health by engaging, educating, and empowering people in the communities we serve.  We are looking to hire the best talent to support our culturally diverse workplace and community. 

Compensation 

The wage range for this position is a minimum $28.82/hour up to $39.98/hour maximum

Compensation will be determined based on years of relevant experience 

Union:  Yes

Full job description will be provided during the interview process.