Social Worker - Memory Disorders Clinic

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Social Worker in the Memory Disorders Clinic serves a dual role by providing specialized clinical counseling and support to patients with cognitive impairment and their families, while also functioning as a Patient Navigator to guide patients through the complexities of the healthcare system. This integrated role ensures comprehensive care coordination, long-term care planning, education, advocacy, and connection to vital community, social, and financial resources. Working closely with the interdisciplinary Memory Disorders Clinic team, the Social Worker facilitates communication across providers, addresses medical and psychosocial needs, and monitors patient progress through the continuum of care-from screening and diagnosis to follow-up.

Position: Social Worker

Department: Memory Disorders Clinic

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Social Work and Counseling

• Provide specialized counseling and emotional support to patients with cognitive impairments and their families.
• Facilitate advanced care planning, long-term care discussions, and connect patients to appropriate community and support resources.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences to address complex medical and psychosocial issues.
• Conduct timely assessments and follow-up regarding suspected abuse or neglect.
• Maintain thorough clinical documentation compliant with hospital policies and confidentiality standards.

Patient Navigation and Care Coordination

• Coordinate and schedule medical appointments, diagnostic tests, and ensure seamless transfer of medical records across providers.
• Serve as a liaison between patients, families, and the healthcare team, ensuring clear, compassionate communication.
• Educate patients and caregivers about diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, and health insurance navigation in an accessible language.
• Identify and resolve barriers to care such as transportation difficulties, financial hardship, and social support needs.
• Advocate for patient rights and empower informed healthcare decisions.
• Connect patients and caregivers to relevant community health resources, specialists, and social services.
• Monitor and follow up on patient treatment progress, ensuring adherence to care plans and adapting support as needed.

Other Duties:

• Performs other duties assigned or as necessary.
• Is flexible and adapts to changing departmental needs, including but not limited to offering assistance to other team members, adjusting assignments, and other functions.
• Utilizes the hospital's behavioral standards, guided by the NASW Social Work Code of Ethics, as the basis for decision-making and to facilitate the hospital's goals and mission.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW).
• Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Massachusetts.
• Preferred experience working with geriatric or cognitively impaired populations and in integrated behavioral health or interdisciplinary clinical settings.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to explain complex medical information clearly and sensitively.
• High levels of empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a patient-centered care approach.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities to manage multiple cases and follow-up activities efficiently.
• Proficient problem-solving skills to identify and overcome barriers to patient care.
• Familiarity and comfort working with Electronic Health Records (EHR) and other healthcare software tools.
• Commitment to patient confidentiality and adherence to professional ethical and safety standards.

Work Environment:

• Collaborative, dynamic healthcare setting within the Memory Disorders Clinic with an interdisciplinary team approach.

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), contract increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, earned time cash out, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family wellbeing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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