Social Work Specialist I - OBGYN

The University of Iowa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is seeking a Social Work Specialist. As a core member of the interdisciplinary care team, the Social Work Specialist effectively collaborates to actively address the coordination of post-acute care services and the provision of psychosocial support services to patients and families. This role will work to provide direct social work services including assessment, treatment, interventions, and recommendations to facilitate movement through the continuum of care to patients and their families.  Serves as a resource for the health care team on appropriate and effective disposition that reduces the length of stay and readmission.

Position Responsibilities

Clinical Social Work & Psychosocial Care

• Perform comprehensive psychosocial assessments and provide counseling, crisis intervention, resource navigation, and safety planning for patients and families.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized transitional care plans throughout the patient’s hospitalization.
• Identify and address high‑risk social determinants of health and coordinate post‑acute care services, including home health, SNF, hospice, and community-based supports.
• Provide guidance regarding advanced directives, guardianship, power of attorney, and related legal/ethical considerations.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds, care conferences, and touch‑base meetings, documenting relevant information in the electronic medical record.
• Serve as a liaison between the inpatient care team and community agencies to support smooth transitions of care.

Postpartum Visit (PPV) Coordination & Patient Outreach 

• Identify postpartum patients eligible for Medicaid PPV follow‑up and maintain accurate records in designated tracking systems.
• Verify that postpartum visit appointments are scheduled within the Medicaid-required 56‑day window.
• Conduct structured outreach cycles that include MyChart messages, texts, and telephone encounters to remind, support, and reschedule patients as needed.
• Document all outreach efforts using standardized Epic templates and complete required fields in the PPV tracking Excel workbook (attendance, barriers, modifiability, outcomes, color-coding).
• Assess barriers to PPV completion and provide individualized support related to transportation, childcare, weather, or system-level access issues.
• Coordinate rescheduling efforts—including overbook requests when appropriate—and track appointment attendance through the DAR.

Scheduling & Epic Responsibilities 

• Utilize Epic ancillary scheduling access to directly schedule postpartum visits, monitor appointment availability, and request overbooks following established workflows.
• Use Epic reporting tools, scheduling OneNote workflows, and MyChart communication workflows to support timely postpartum care.
• Ensure accurate, timely documentation in Epic telephone encounters, progress notes, and care team communication channels.

Quality Improvement, Data Tracking & Reporting

• Conduct chart audits for patients who completed postpartum care outside of UI Health Care and verify documentation.
• Compile and analyze PPV-related quality metrics, including attendance rates, barrier categories, and modifiable vs. non-modifiable factors.
• Produce quarterly reports and data visualizations for the Medicaid Directed Payment Quality Plan, distributing findings to Coding and Project Management leaders.
• Monitor outcomes and contribute data to dashboards, Excel tracking tools, and performance monitoring systems.
• Participate in organizational quality initiatives and serve as a subject-matter resource on postpartum care barriers and process improvements.

Leadership, Collaboration & Committee Work

• Actively participate in Medicaid Quality Plan meetings, presenting updates and insights on PPV data and progress.
• Lead the Perinatal Resource Collaborative, including agenda preparation, facilitation, coordination of follow‑up tasks, and communication with interdisciplinary partners.
• Collaborate with OBGYN, Care Coordination, Social Work, North Dodge Scheduling, Johnson County Public Health, and other stakeholders to improve postpartum care access and resource alignment.
• Provide expertise, education, and support to colleagues regarding Medicaid postpartum requirements, workflows, and best practices.

Professional Standards & Organizational Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with hospital and departmental policies, regulatory documentation standards, and confidentiality requirements.
• Uphold UI Health Care’s WECARE values through communication, teamwork, and patient/family-centered practice.
• Support orientation and mentoring of new staff as assigned.
• Maintain professional knowledge through required trainings and continuing education, including Epic scheduling, reporting tools, and trauma‑informed communication.
• Complete administrative duties and reporting tasks necessary for accountability and departmental operations.