Job Description

General Purpose of Job:

The Guardianship Specialist will provide education and address questions about potential need for guardianship and/or alternative decision-maker for patients and their families at Sparrow Hospital-Lansing and will provide consult and support for guardianship issues at other U-M Regional Health System locations as needed. They will work closely with and indirectly report to Legal services. They will proactively find cases, review, and discuss situations to determine if they warrant a consultation to the Probate Judicial Program. They will develop a process to routinely and effectively communicate with hospital units related to case finding and identifying potential guardianship situations. They will partner closely with unit case managers, nursing staff, clinical staff, and health system leadership (as indicated) specifically working on these complex cases related to guardianship and decisional capacity. They will serve as the triage and main contact for the Probate Judicial Program. The primary purpose of the Probate Judicial Program is to determine when a guardian is/is not necessary, and petitioning the court as indicated to appoint a legal guardian.

Essential Duties:

This job description is intended to cover the minimum essential duties assigned on a regular basis. Caregivers may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned by their leader. Leadership has the right to alter or modify the duties of the position.

• Providing guidance related to when guardianship is, or is not, necessary.
• Submitting guardianship petitions to the probate court, as indicated.
• Investigating, reviewing, and assessing collateral and historical patient information from family, community agencies and other community supports to validate or invalidate petition for guardianship.
• Attending routine and as needed huddles with Legal to efficiently coordinate program efforts; and
• Assisting with collecting data and developing outcome measures to evaluate the Probate Judicial Program.
• Monitors and facilitates the length of stay and ancillary resource use on an ongoing basis. Takes the appropriate actions to achieve continuous improvement in both length of stay and resource utilization.
  • Self-directed and organized to meet the needs of the patient and the health care team.
• Communication:
  • Provides clear, concise, and timely written documentation.
  • Communicate and provide information to post-acute care providers and payers ensuring adequate resources are provided to the patient.
  • Communicates effectively and navigates conflicts with patients, families, members of the care team in a diplomatic and empathetic manner.
• Negotiation with clinical departments and payers, advocating for the patient; transitioning them to the next phase of care.

Job Requirements

General Requirements	* Current Michigan Nursing License OR Michigan Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW) as applicable to education Preferred: * Certification in Case Management or paralegal certification or pursing juris doctorate
Work Experience	* See Education.
Education	* Master's degree in social work; OR Graduate of an accredited nursing program with two years related experience; OR associate degree in business or related field and a minimum of three years' experience as a paralegal in the healthcare industry or in a law firm with specific experience in healthcare transactions/guardianship; OR Bachelor's degree in business, healthcare or related field and a minimum of two years of related experience.
Specialized Knowledge and Skills	* Ability to interview, assess, organize and problem solve. Ability to identify appropriate community resources and to work collaboratively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team and community agencies to achieve desired patient outcomes. * Maintains an environment that supports and encourages high performance and reliability through caregiver engagement, teamwork, and customer service ensuring safe quality patient-centered care. * Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. * Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting the requirements for mandatory/continuing education, skills competency, supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization. * Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement in interactions with physicians, payors, patients, and their families. * Demonstrates ability to use a keyboard as may be required to perform the essential duties of the job. * Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word Preferred: * Significant experience with guardianship situations and decisional capacity questions * Experience in acute care case management, discharge planning, utilization management, performance improvement and managed care reimbursement. * Social work experience in an acute care setting * Ability to draft and interpret legal documents * Ability to research state and federal laws and regulations * High level of discretion and confidentiality * Working knowledge of statutory provisions related to incapacitated individuals and/or developmental delayed individuals