Social Work Assistant - Ambulatory Care Clinics

Job Description

The Harborview Medical Center – Social Work Department has an outstanding opportunity for a Social Work Assistant with the Ambulatory Care Clinics

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full-Time / 40 hours per week

• Day shift

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Provide services to HMC patients within assigned service area while adhering to the parameters of HMC policies and procedures and NASW Code of Ethics.

• Strong candidates will have experience assisting individuals to access medical and financial benefits via DSHS, Washington Health Plan Finder – Qualified Health Plans & Expanded Medicaid, the Social Security Administration, and Medicare.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain working knowledge of basic medical conditions, terminology and community resources pertaining to assigned service area.

• Serve as an ambassador for the Social Work Department and promote effective working relationships within assigned service area.

• Complete timely documentation of social work activities and verbal communication to team members as appropriate.

• Comply with all aspects of HIPAA regulations.

• Maintain a working knowledge of SWA role across department

• Provide assistance and advocacy to clinic patients in support of medical and financial benefits to reduce health disparities, to include:

  • Comprehensive assessment of individual patients’ financial needs and program eligibility, including medical coverage, medication coverage, food benefits, cash/income, co-pay assistance, HMC financial assistance.

  • Advocate on patients’ behalf within the Social Security and DSHS systems, including accompanying and/or representing patients at Social Security or DSHS interviews as necessary.

  • Maintain working knowledge of payer options and associated program requirements, to include commercial insurance, DSHS, Medicare, Washington Health Plan Finder – Qualified Health Plans & Expanded Medicaid, and disease-specific programs.

  • Develop, implement, and monitor individualized patient treatment plans to obtain and maintain benefits, to include assisting patients in appealing denials.

  • Advise and assist patients in understanding and managing HMC billing and HMC’s financial assistance program.

  • Assist Clinic Social Workers as needed, specifically to follow-up on referrals to regarding in-home services, transportation, housing navigation, Out of State Medicaid travel/lodging/transportation, along with other community based programs.

REQUIRED POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Social Work or a Bachelor’s Degree in the behavioral sciences AND two years experience as a Social Work Assistant I or equivalent.

OR

an Associate of Arts Degree in the behavioral sciences AND four years of work experience as a Social Work Assistant I or equivalent.

ABOUT HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER

As the region's only Level I Trauma and verified burn center, Harborview Medical Center is a comprehensive healthcare facility owned by King County and operated by UW Medicine.  It is dedicated to providing specialized care for a broad spectrum of patients from throughout the Pacific Northwest, including the most vulnerable residents of King County.  It provides exemplary patient care in leading-edge centers of emphasis, including emergency medicine, trauma and burn care, neurosciences, ophthalmology, vascular surgery, HIV/AIDS, rehabilitation, mental health and substance abuse care.

Harborview employees are committed to the vital role the institution plays in the immediate community, as well as the entire Northwest region.  

Challenge. Collaboration. Compassion.

ABOUT UW MEDICINE – WHERE YOUR IMPACT GOES FURTHER

UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals.

All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that includes: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, Valley Medical Center, U