Social Work Consultant

About the Role

The Medical Social Worker II serves as an integral member of the healthcare team within Kaiser Permanente hospital settings. This role is dedicated to facilitating the execution of approved and appropriate inpatient discharge plans, ensuring seamless transitions between facilities or into the community. Under the general direction of the Continuum of Care Leader, you will deliver age-appropriate clinical social work insight and care to members and their caregivers, strictly adhering to agency policies, procedures, and state and federal regulations.

You will act as a vital liaison between the patient, the Kaiser Permanente network, and external community resources. Your work ensures the coordination of discharge and transition planning, addressing the complex social, emotional, financial, and environmental factors that impact patients and families during their acute inpatient stay. By collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, you will help develop short- and long-term care plans that restore well-being and ensure continuity of care.

The Day-to-Day

Your day involves partnering with care management staff and other disciplines to assess, plan, and provide services utilizing biopsychosocial information. You will identify needs, discuss care options proactively, and coach members on advocating for themselves to receive appropriate services. A significant portion of your time will be spent coordinating the exchange of information among Kaiser, families, members, and all facilities involved in the discharge plan.

You will function as a liaison to the Post-Acute Team to assure appropriate and timely placement of members in facilities, while also determining the application of Kaiser, Medicare, and additional insurer benefits to specific patient situations. You will participate in Utilization Management and Quality Assurance activities, assist in coordinating communication between regional offices, clinics, and hospitals, and provide consulting services to local Acute Care Centers and Clinical Decision Units as needed.

Our Culture and Commitment

Kaiser Permanente is committed to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to our members. We value a collaborative environment where social workers function independently yet supportively as part of a multidisciplinary team. We strive to meet organizational goals by working cross-functionally with other departments and maintaining positive relationships with patients and partners.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.