Hospice House PRN Social Worker

About the Role

Hospice social work applies social work theory, knowledge, methods, principles, values, ethics, and professional use of self to restore or enhance the bio-psycho-social functioning of people diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and their caregivers/families. The social worker is part of the interdisciplinary team that develops a plan of care to meet the needs of patients and caregivers/families, operating within the scope of their license and/or degree.

Responsibilities

• Conducts psychosocial assessments of patients, caregivers, and families to identify emotional, social, and environmental strengths and problems related to their diagnosis, illness, treatment, and life situation.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates a plan of care for patients, caregivers, and families, incorporating therapeutic, preventive, and clinical social work practices that address counseling and education needs while maintaining the dignity of the dying patient.
• Addresses patient and caregiver needs for resource and referral services and advocacy, updating the plan of care as goals and objectives are achieved or changed.
• Supports patient and family spiritual/cultural beliefs by assessing cultural issues, developing culturally sensitive care plans, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team.
• Documents assessments, care plans, interactions, and interventions according to regulatory and agency standards.
• Participates collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and other departments to achieve patient care goals.
• Provides education on hospice philosophy, services, advance care planning, and end-of-life care issues.
• Conducts family meetings.
• Collaborates with long-term care community staff and IDT members to determine patient level of care and coordinate service utilization.
• Initiates referrals for volunteers, chaplains, and grief services, reassessing for supportive service needs and interventions.
• Maintains working knowledge of community agencies and resources, assessing and referring patients/families as appropriate.
• Manages time, caseload, and technology professionally.
• Provides clinical social work expertise and support to non-clinical social workers, including consultation as needed.
• Schedules visits based on prioritized caseload needs and prepares for visits by reviewing care plans and patient information.
• Makes visits to provide care, evaluates patient/caregiver responses, and revises the plan of care as necessary.
• Provides interventions consistent with the plan of care and identifies new problems or needs.
• Facilitates transfers of patients to other settings (e.g., respite, skilled nursing facilities) when appropriate.
• Promotes patient and caregiver independence to the extent possible.
• Facilitates transition to grief care services after the death of a patient.
• Ensures accurate, complete, and timely clinical documentation in accordance with guidelines.
• Keeps clinical records current by transferring laptop information daily and submits documentation per policy.
• Records and submits time/mileage logs accurately.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
• Medical social work or hospice experience preferred.
• Computer proficiency required.