Per Diem Social Worker - Optum : Job Details

Join Optum, a global leader in healthcare, where your contributions will help improve the health outcomes of numerous individuals. As part of our dedicated team, you will have the opportunity to positively impact communities by connecting them with essential care and resources. At Optum, we celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and provide significant support for your professional growth and development. Come be a part of a mission dedicated to Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

We are currently seeking a Per Diem Social Worker who will play a vital role in coordinating care for health plan members with complex needs. In this role, you will provide counseling and support to patients and their families, addressing personal, financial, and environmental challenges that can contribute to health issues. You will be an advocate for members, connecting them with community resources and financial assistance programs to promote their independence.

The Social Worker will collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary team, including physicians, nurses, case managers, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Your responsibilities will encompass crisis intervention, assessments, care planning, and ensuring patients have access to necessary post-hospital services.

This position offers flexibility as a per diem role, requiring you to work according to the hospital's needs, including potential overtime. Our facility is located in Waukesha, WI, where you will receive 4 weeks of on-the-job training aligned with your schedule.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate comprehensive patient care processes to enhance quality outcomes and resource utilization
• Provide skilled intervention during critical situations, advocating for patients facing life-altering events
• Assess and identify needs for post-hospital services and community resources, particularly at discharge
• Develop care management plans for frequent Emergency Department visitors in collaboration with healthcare professionals
• Support patients and their families with psychosocial needs
• Educate patients and caregivers about care options and available resources
• Report instances of abuse or neglect in compliance with legal requirements
• Collaborate with care teams for effective discharge planning and continuity of care
• Engage in quality improvement initiatives within the department
• Complete all necessary documentation for reports, care plans, and referrals
• Work effectively across the lifespan of patients, from unborn children through geriatric populations
• Comply with all regulatory standards, including CMS and Joint Commission requirements

We offer a rewarding environment where your efforts will be valued and recognized. You will receive clear guidance and the opportunity for career advancement.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW)
• 2+ years of experience in a healthcare environment
• Familiarity with healthcare terminology
• Strong communication and emotional support skills
• Ability to work onsite at various hospital locations in Waukesha, WI
• Flexibility to work different shifts as needed

Preferred Qualifications:

• ACM - Social Work Certification
• Clinical social work experience
• Experience in hospital discharge planning

Soft Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Excellent written and verbal skills

The pay range for this role is $28.61 to $56.06 per hour, based on various factors such as local labor markets and individual qualifications. In addition to salary, UnitedHealth Group provides comprehensive benefits, recognition programs, and retirement contributions.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people lead healthier lives while reducing barriers to health for all individuals. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable care and addressing health disparities across populations.

OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from diverse candidates. We are committed to a drug-free workplace, and all candidates must pass a drug test prior to employment.