Job Description

Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for a LCSW to work in our outpatient Neurodegenerative-Movement Disorders clinic.

Shift: M-F, days; no nights/weekends/holidays/on-call

The SOCIAL WORKER LCSW reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Clinical Social Worker (SW) will work with people who have a neurodegenerative disease and their families with a focus on movement disorders. The SW’s primary responsibilities include the direct application of clinical expertise to patients and families. Team collaboration is essential. The SW will be a member of the transdisciplinary team and work closely with the present SW, Movement and Behavioral Neurologists, Neuropsychiatrist, Neuropsychologists, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses and the rehabilitation team.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Counseling

• Provide supportive and behavioral health interventions to patients with movement and cognitive disorders and their families through counseling sessions.

• Educate on palliative care, hospice, and end of life discussion.

• Provide informal counseling as needed via phone consultation.

• Provide links to community resources to patients and families

Information and Referral

• Update and maintain community resources.
• Assist with understanding of advanced directives and advanced planning with patients and their families.
• Determine needed concrete services (such as referrals for transportation resources, financial assistance, disability, home care, insurance and legal specialists, day programs and facilities) through assessment, request, direct patient and professional staff referrals.

Consultation

• Provide consultation to the Movement disorder team regarding psychosocial issues impacting patients with movement and memory related disorders.

• Communicates with members of the medical care team  formally and informally in order to provide optimal care for our patients and families.

• Assist team members with issues including suicide risk, abuse and neglect. Help with calls to risk management, elder abuse, and crisis intervention.

Community

• Facilitate caregiver and patient support group.
• Provide community education -- formal and informal presentations and resources which often leads to referrals to the Movement and Neurodegenerative Program.
• Collaborate with community stakeholders such as national/state foundations, geriatric care managers, memory care facilities, and Adult Protective Services.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Masters Degree in Social Work from a school of Social Work accredited by CSWE.
• Experience providing counseling to patients and their families
• Demonstrates strong communication skills, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills necessary to prioritize and manage an appropriate caseload of patients coupled with performing other Social Worker functions.
• Self-direction required for daily work.
• Analytical skills necessary to independently collect, analyze, and interpret data, resolve problems requiring innovative solutions and to negotiate in sensitive situations.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in State of IL.

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.