~~The Medical Social Consultant assists pediatric patients and their families with the goal of improving social and psychological functioning. Medical Social Consultants perform assessments, coordinates treatment with team members and provides information about services, such as home healthcare or support groups, to assist pediatric patients and their families with the management of their illness or disease in a clinic setting under general supervision of the Administrative Nurse II. 

~~Conducts initial assessments of patient/family situation in the pediatric clinic setting through interview, case history, psychosocial assessments, and/or observational techniques to determine needs and goals. Documents all case notes within the patient’s electronic medical record.

Assists patients and their families with concerns of medical neglect.
    
Reviews barriers to care, transportation issues, medication compliance etc. and determines patient eligibility for services.

Assists with DCFS patients when difficulty getting ahold of DCFS or unsure who caseworker is. Collaborates with other caseworkers as needed.

Assists patients with determining which Medicaid plan is best for them.

Provides therapeutic crisis intervention as needed for situations such as child abuse and mental health emergencies.

Provides counseling, therapy, and/or psychotherapy to patients and families as appropriate.

Prepares treatment plans, discharge plans and follow-up care programs.

Gathers and maintains up-to-date material regarding available community resources

Provides outreach and coordination with other community resources and agencies.

Serves as a conduit between patient’s school to assist with communication/getting child back to school.

Acts as liaison between families and providers to promote effective communication.

Coordinates treatment planning and maintains ongoing collaboration with patient’s healthcare team for continual care.

Functions as a community-level advocate on behalf of patients and families.

Documents electronic medical record appropriately and compiles reports as requested.

Participates on committees that develop and implement performance and quality improvement initiatives. May participate in studies, case reviews or staff trainings as needed

Participates in the review of clinical issues and program policies and procedures.

Performs work related to the lower level in this series.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

~~1.  Master's degree from an accredited school or university in social or behavioral science or a related health specialty area.
Based on institutional requirements for each position:
2. 
A. Current State of IL Licensure as a Licensed Social Worker or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
OR
B. Three (3) years (36 months) of progressively more responsible full-time experience in social work in a medical/clinical or social service agency setting.
Note: Allow points for Level I experience if applicant indicates documented volunteer experience and points for Level II experience if applicant indicates part of practicum/preceptorship.

1. Thorough knowledge of social work methods and principles.
2. General understanding of public healthcare programs.
3. General knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service (e.g. customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.)
4. Knowledge of psychology concerning human behavior and performance including the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of affective disorders.

1.  Skill in the identification of needs and coordination of services to meet needs.
2. Judgment and decision making skills – the ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
3. Social perceptiveness skills – being aware of their reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

1. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication with staff, families, and agencies.
2. Ability to work independently.
3. Ability to communicate effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience and effectively convey information to others verbally.