Social Worker (LSW) - Float, Full-Time, Days
Company: Northwestern Memorial Healthcare
Location: Chicago
Posted on: February 14, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Company Description At
Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference
in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is
what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an
integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our
quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the
Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing
competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan
forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is
to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for
better?Job Description The Social Worker LSW 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. Responsibilities: Psychosocial
Assessment and Intervention: Meets directly with patient and family
to perform a comprehensive assessment including social, emotional,
cultural, mental status, environmental and financial circumstances
in conjunction with interdisciplinary assessment of the patient.
Recommends a plan of intervention based on patient needs,
preference and mutually established goals. Provides psychosocial
interventions which include reactions to illness and disability,
especially the chronically and terminally ill. Facilitation of
informed decision making [including advanced directives] and
development of treatment and intervention plans. Adjustment to the
hospital setting and compliance with treatment plan. Adjustment and
coping with post hospital care needs and linkage to community
resources. Gynecological and obstetrical related issues including
teen pregnancy, parenting issues, adoption planning, infant
developmental problems, drug exposed neonate, fetal death,
unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy termination, and other care as
needed. Issues related to insurance coverage and payment.
Psychiatric symptoms and chemical dependency. Conflict resolution.
Family and personal relationship that impact the plan of care and
discharge plans. Performs assessments of the physical environment
and adequacy of support systems for outpatients to prevent a crisis
and/or hospitalization. Provides crisis intervention and/or
Protective Services for the elderly without support systems, with
impaired mental status and/or victims of suspected abuse/neglect,
as well as victims of suspected sexual/physical assault (includes
rape and molestation), victims of suspected child abuse or neglect,
or victims of domestic violence. Guardianship and/or protective
services for patients with significant mental status impairment or
unsafe living environment and/or the homeless. Manages Discharge
Planning through Placement Coordination, Resource Utilization, and
Coordination of Skilled Home Health Care. Actively participates in
the stages of discharge planning and ensures that the plan of care
is coordinated, facilitated and effectively communicated to the
physicians, healthcare team, patient and family. Provide initial
screening for all new patients to assure medical necessity, source
of funding, and likelihood of needing Social Work and/or discharge
planning services. Serves as the point person for the plan of care
as it applies to discharge planning needs through facilitation of
direct and continuous communication and collaborative decision
making, including participation in multidisciplinary rounds and
case conferences and other collaborative forums. Coordinates action
plans when barriers are present to facilitate resolution.
Coordinates discharge planning to ensure a timely discharge through
early identification, assessment and intervention for post hospital
care needs. Patient assessment, plan coordination and changes to
the plan occur, as necessary, to ensure that the patient is
discharged when medically ready to other acute hospitals,
rehabilitative facilities, extended care facilities, sub-acute
care, psychiatric and chemical dependency care, return to home or
other living arrangements. Meets directly with patient and family
to assess needs, preferences and develop appropriate plan that
involves home health care services in collaboration with the
physician. Ensures and maintains plan consensus from patient and
family, physician and payer. Timely discharge is facilitated
through early identification, ongoing assessment and intervention
for post hospital care needs. Collaborates and communicates with
multidisciplinary team in all phases of discharge planning, ensures
and maintains plan consensus from patient and family, physician,
and payer as indicated. Proactively identifies and resolves delays
and obstacles to discharge. Utilizes advanced conflict resolution
skills as necessary to ensure timely resolution of issues and
system problems. Seeks consultation from and makes referrals to
appropriate disciplines and departments as required to expedite
discharge plan. Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and
an ability to connect patients and families with these resources
Acts as an advocate on behalf of the patient who requires
assistance to gain access to needed information, resources, or
services. Facilitates review of high risk cases by Office of
General Counsel, Risk Management and informs appropriate members of
the healthcare team as to interventions needed. Coordinates
interventions in collaboration with healthcare team and ensures
that interventions are successful. Provides patient and family
education that promotes wellness and increases knowledge of the
health care system. Demonstrates knowledge of the utilization
management process which includes level of care assignment,
communication with payors and benefit authorization for applicable
situations. Actively Participates in Clinical Performance
Improvement Activities Assists in the collection and reporting of
financial indicators including LOS, avoidable days, resource
utilization, and discharge barriers. Uses data to drive decisions
and plan/implement performance improvement strategies related for
assigned patients/units, including financial, clinical, quality and
patient satisfaction data. New graduates are required to
participate in weekly clinical supervision with a LCSW Social
Worker until a minimum of 3000 supervised hours is fulfilled. Upon
completion of three years post masters degree, is eligible to
provide graduate level Social Work field supervision requiring a
field placement. Assumes responsibility for professional
development and meeting Social Work CEU requirements by
participating in workshops, conferences, and / or inservices.
Complies with Northwestern Memorial Hospital policies on patient
confidentiality including HIPAA requirements and Personal Rules of
Conduct. AA/EOE 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 Social
Worker, LSW. Additional Information Northwestern Medicine is an
equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) 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. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a
background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team
members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a
position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization
and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to
run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case
basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including
the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial
Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be
used in some portions of the candidate review process for this
position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a
person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide
employees with tools and resources to improve their physical,
emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for
unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn
more. Sign-on Bonus Eligibility: Internal employees and rehires who
left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the
sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking
their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible
depending upon the job family.
Keywords: Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, Cicero , Social Worker (LSW) - Float, Full-Time, Days, Healthcare , Chicago, Illinois
