Are you a Care Navigator in the Rockford, IL area with the highest standards of excellence, seeking the opportunity to work for an employer that’s the leader in patient-focused, team-based hospice care and committed to creating a culture of excellence? Join the hospice that was first to provide exceptional, end of life care in our community. We are currently seeking a FT – Care Navigator.

Job Summary:

The Care Navigator II is a medical social worker responsible for the implementation of standards of care for medical social work services to Northern Illinois Hospice patients and families.

**Note: Northern Illinois Hospice calls this social work position “Care Navigator” and will require staff to use that title. “Social Worker” is misinterpreted by some individuals as being comparable to a DCFS-type position. Northern Illinois Hospice takes steps to increase access to social work services and its integral support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Patient/Family Support

· Assesses the psychsocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient’s terminal illness and environment and communicates findings to the registered nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary group (IDG).

· Carries out social evaluations and plans intervention based on evaluation findings. Counsels patient ad family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties.

· Maintains clinical records on all patient referred to social work.

· Provides information and referral services for patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs.

· Provides information to patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.

· Serves as a liaison between patient and families and community agencies.

· Maintains collaborative relationships with Northern Illinois Hospice staff to support patient care.

· Participates in the development of the individualized plan of care and attends regularly scheduled IDG meetings.

· Assists physician, APRN, and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.

· Actively participates in Quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.

· Participates in bereavement support as assigned.

· Participates in Admission rotation, assisting patients and families/caregivers with the hospice decision and consent process.

· Maintains a high level of understanding of Medicare and Medicaid programs in relation, including admission procedures and qualifications for skilled nursing facilities (SNF).

Quality/Compliance

· Performs duties in accordance with the Medicare Hospice Conditions of Participation for Social Work. Adheres to the State of Illinois Social Work Practice Act.

· Follows infection control policies and procedures. utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

· Follows office building protocols.

· Maintains confidentiality according to HIPAA requirements of patient and family regarding disease/diagnosis, financial, and other information obtained during employment.

· Abides by agency proprietary confidential information policy.

· Demonstrates the Model Visit on each visit encounter.

· Follows safety education, including physical ergonomics.

· Maintains personal and professional boundaries.

· Attends mandatory education in-services and meetings.

· Provides accurate, timely documentation, providing pertinent and complete data in the electronic medical record in accordance with documentation guidelines.

· Possesses awareness and acceptance of various lifestyles without imposing personal values on the patient/family.

· Assists with explaining and completing Durable Power of Attorney- Health Care (DPOA-HC) documents.

· Participates in Quality Improvement Activities and initiatives.

· Maintains effective communication with Admissions Team, Volunteer Services, and Bereavement staff with regard to referrals.

· Develops and implements a discharge plan for the patient in conjunction with the patient/family, personal representatives, and hospital social workers/discharge planners.

Qualifications:

Education: Master of Social Work degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) required.

Training and Licensure: Licensed Social Worker in the State of Illinois required.

Knowledge/Skills/Ability: Ability to work independently, make accurate, and at times, quick judgments. Ability to respond appropriately to crisis in a community setting. Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural, and religious modes. Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.

Experience: Minimum of one year’s experience in health care, hospice experience preferred. Understands hospice philosophy, and issues of death/dying.

Other: Local residence with ability to respond to on-call within 30 minutes of assigned service area. Meets agency requirements for criminal background check. Good working knowledge of office technologies including computers, internet and intranet, Word, EXCEL and data base management programs (e.g., electronic medical record systems (EMR)).

If you have experience as a Care Navigator, we want to hear from you.

We offer a competitive salary & benefits

EOE

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $0.00 per hour
Related keywords: social worker, social services

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift

Education:

• Master’s (Required)

Experience:

• Health Care: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• LSW (Required)

Work Location:

• Multiple locations

Company’s website:

• https://northernillinoishospice.org/

Benefit Conditions:

• Waiting period may apply

Work Remotely:

• No

COVID-19 Precaution(s):

• Personal protective equipment provided or required
• Temperature screenings
• Social distancing guidelines in place
• Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place