Hospice Social Worker

Responsibilities

• Provides social work services to patients and families in collaboration with other IDG members, volunteers, and community resources.
• Ensures a consistent, high-quality hospice experience for every patient and family by soliciting and identifying patient and family goals while complying with established social work visit structure.
• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the patient’s psychosocial care plan.
• Conducts assessment, planning, intervention, and ongoing evaluation of psychosocial function to meet assigned patient and family needs/goals by:
  • Making recommendations to members of the IDG and volunteers on ways to support the patient and/or family.
  • Assisting patients and families with personal and environmental difficulties.
  • Actively participating in IDG and family meetings to provide input on patient care and team support.
  • Providing patient/family counseling related to planned health care services.
  • Utilizing community resources to assist the patient/family in meeting goals.
• Communicates timely and effectively with the appropriate Team Leader/designee, physicians, patients, families, contracted vendors, and community resources.
• Coordinates with other team members regarding changes in the level of care or location of assigned patients.
• In collaboration with Chaplains, provides bereavement support to families when appropriate.
• Develops and provides education to Coastal Hospice staff, volunteers, and community members regarding the emotional and social dimensions of hospice patients.
• Maintains continuity and consistency of care by:
  • Recording all pertinent information in a concise, effective manner according to organizational standards.
  • Completing documentation in the patient’s electronic medical record by the end of the assigned workday.
  • Providing handoff communication according to established policy and procedure.
• Promotes high-quality patient care and team operations by:
  • Functioning within Coastal Hospice Policy and interdisciplinary care model to meet team goals.
  • Supervising social work interns (BSW and MSW) as requested by the Team Leader and/or Social Work Resource Coordinator; supervision of BSW vs. MSW will be assigned based on licensure and experience.
  • Maintaining effective professional relationships with referral sources, community agencies, and other healthcare partners.
  • Participating in the on-call rotation for weekday and weekend coverage as assigned.
  • Utilizing the Medical Social Work Resource Coordinator for complicated patient/family issues or concerns related to the Social Work discipline.
• Works collaboratively with other social workers to meet program needs.

Requirements

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent within the guidelines of ADA, FMLA, OSHA, and other federal, state, and local laws.
• Flexibility in schedule to manage the frequency and duration of visits based on patient/family needs.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to fifty (50) pounds with or without the use of assistive devices.
• Understand and comply with Coastal Hospice’s mission, values, vision, policies, and Employee Handbook.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited school.
• 2 years’ experience in hospital, long-term care, or hospice setting preferred.
• Current LMSW license in the state of Maryland; LCWS-C preferred.