Job Description

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

Shift: M-F, days; occasional evening/weekend; no 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 generally an older population who has degenerative brain diseases and dementias.  The SW’s primary responsibilities include the direct application of clinical expertise to patients and families and the maintenance of the quality standard of care for conditions such as the behavioral management of dementia-related behavioral symptoms. Team collaboration is essential.  The SW will work closely with the present SW and the Behavioral Neurologist who is director of the Memory Assessment Program.  The SW will be a member of the transdisciplinary team of neurologists, neuropsychologists, nurse practitioners and social worker. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Counseling

• Provide therapeutic and health and behavior interventions to patients with cognitive disorders and their families formally through counseling sessions.

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

• Provide informal counseling as needed via phone consultation (these at times turn into scheduled appts).

• Send out resource information to family members

          As part of providing resources, maintaining and updating that information.

• Assist with understanding of advanced directives and advanced planning with patients and their families

Information and Referral

• 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. Generally done on the phone.

Consultation

• Consultation to Neurodegenerative disease neurologists, neuropsychologists, nurses, rehab specialists regarding psychosocial issues for patients with memory, dementia, and related disorders.
• 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 talks and informal resources which often leads to referrals to the Memory Assessment Program.
• Maintain relationships and work together with outside referral network such as geriatric care managers and memory care facilities which often leads to referrals to the Memory Assessment Program.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Masters Degree in Social Work from a school of Social Work accredited by CSWE.
• A high level of interpersonal skills to affect positive outcomes.
• Organizational skills necessary to prioritize and manage an appropriate caseload of patients coupled with performing the 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.
• Licensure in Illinois. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

PREFERRED:

• Two years of post-graduate experience in hospital Social Work or related settings.

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.