Memory Care Social Worker – Boston Based Position Available In Suffolk, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job Profile Summary This new position is central to the TuftsMedicine Memory Care Program, supporting individuals living withdementia and their caregivers through comprehensive social workservices. The Memory Care social worker will play a key role insupporting the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE)Model, an innovative payment model developed by the Center forMedicare and Medicaid Innovation. Additionally, the social workerwill provide essential support to families of patients treatedwithin the interdisciplinary memory care clinic and primary care,ensuring continuity of care and promoting early detection throughmemory screenings. This role is integral to the program’s goal ofestablishing a comprehensive, interdisciplinary Memory CareProgram, which will integrate medical and non-medical services toimprove patient outcomes, retention, and overall quality of lifefor both individuals with neurocognitive disorders and theircaregivers. Job Overview The Memory Care social worker will provideclinical services, support, education, and resource coordination topatients and caregivers, with a focus on integrating serviceswithin both primary care and specialty care in theinterdisciplinary memory clinic. The social worker will be a keycontributor, providing clinical services and helping to triagepatients into appropriate levels of care. Additionally, the rolewill involve close collaboration with the interdisciplinary team toensure unified integration of services and support, which iscrucial to both disease management and program differentiation.

Minimum Qualifications :

Master’s degree in Social Work from anaccredited institution. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) orability to become licensed in Massachusetts. At least one (1) yearof experience in a health care setting, with an emphasis ondementia care.

Preferred Qualifications :

Three (3) years ofrelated experience, particularly in dementia care or working witholder adults. Experience in interdisciplinary care coordination,crisis intervention, and caregiver support.

Duties andResponsibilities :

GUIDE Model and Primary Care Support :

Providesocial work services as part of the interdisciplinary care team forthe GUIDE Model, ensuring compliance with CMS requirements anddelivering tailored support to patients within primary caresettings.

Patient Screening :

Participate in the memory screeningprocess, promoting early detection and prevention of dementia. Helptriage patients into specific levels of care based on riskstratification, ensuring timely and appropriate interventions.

Memory Clinic and Specialty Care Support :

Offer clinical services,support, and care coordination for families of patients treated inthe interdisciplinary memory clinic, facilitating seamlesstransitions between primary and specialty care.

Caregiver Supportand Education :

Deliver strategies and resources to help caregiversmanage the challenges of dementia care, improving their quality oflife and reducing caregiver burnout. Provide education on diseaseprogression, care strategies, and available support services, whichis essential for patient retention and overall program success.

Care Plan Development :

Collaborate with healthcare teams todevelop personalized care plans for individuals with dementia,integrating both medical and psychosocial support tailored to eachpatient’s unique needs.

Crisis Intervention and ResourceCoordination :

Provide crisis intervention services and connectfamilies to appropriate community resources, including home careservices, respite care, and dementia-specific support groups.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration :

Work closely with other membersof the interdisciplinary care team, including Care Navigators,physicians, and other dementia care specialists, to ensurecomprehensive care coordination and support for GUIDE participantsand memory clinic patients.

Patient Advocacy :

Act as an advocatefor patients and their families, ensuring dignity, respect, andaccess to all available services and resources throughout theircare journey.

Program Differentiation :

Support the integration ofnon-medical services into the memory care program, particularlycaregiver support and education services, which are critical toboth the effectiveness of disease management and the program’sdifferentiation in the field of dementia care.

Skills & Abilities :

Strong understanding of dementia care, neurocognitive disorders,and the associated challenges facing patients and caregivers.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the abilityto build trust and rapport with patients, families, and thehealthcare team. Knowledge of community resources, dementia-relatedsupport services, and the case management process. Ability tofunction effectively in high-stress situations, such as crisisinterventions and family consultations. Commitment to continuouslearning in dementia care advancements, including therapeuticinnovations and research.

Physical Requirements :

Normal officesetting and patient care environments. This role is integral to thesuccess of the Tufts Medicine Memory Care Program, positioning theorganization as a leader in dementia care. The social worker willsupport the program’s mission to enhance quality of life forindividuals living with dementia, reduce caregiver strain, andpromote patient retention through comprehensive, interdisciplinarycare services. Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health systembringing together the best of academic and community healthcare todeliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences toconsumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center,Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, LawrenceMemorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home – an expansive home carenetwork, and large integrated physician network. We are an equalopportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at TuftsMedicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis ofrace, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability,genetic information, veteran status, national origin, genderidentity and/or expression, marital status or any othercharacteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We willensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonableaccommodation to participate in the job application or interviewprocess, to perform essential job functions, and to receive otherbenefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to requestaccommodation by emailing us at careers@tuftsmedicine.org .