Hospice Social Worker (LMSW/LCSW)

About the Role

To provide social work services based on the individual needs of the patient and family as identified by the IDG and on the Psychosocial Assessment. The Social Worker will provide psychosocial and supportive services to assist the patient and family by minimizing the stress and problems that arise during the terminal illness, related conditions, and the dying process.

Responsibilities

• Provides professional counseling, assessment of psychosocial needs, assessments for financial needs and services including written explanations of Medicare, Medicaid and insurance benefits to prospective patients/families when necessary, and guidance regarding the grief and loss process.
• Completes psychosocial history and assessment, evaluating the needs of the patient and family systems within policy and procedure guidelines.
• Provides crisis intervention and suicide assessment.
• Participates in the development of the plan of care with the interdisciplinary team, collaborates with other team members, and updates the plan of care.
• Delivers services to the patient and family consistent with the plan of care.
• Assists the patient and family in coping with psychosocial changes and stresses related to the terminal illness.
• Locates and obtains resources necessary to the financial, social, and emotional well‑being of the patient.
• Provides counseling to family/caregivers to assist in coping with the approaching death of the patient.
• Documents all services in the medical record.
• Provides bereavement services to families of patients and refers families to additional resources as needed.
• Provides training in psychosocial needs of patients/families to hospice and nursing‑home staff.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises hospice and home‑care volunteers, including assignments to families and patients.
• Assists physicians and other health‑care team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to the patient’s health problems.
• Supervises/advises assigned BSW or baccalaureate‑degree social worker.
• Prepares clinical and progress notes according to policy and procedures.
• Uses appropriate community resources.
• Participates in discharge planning.
• Participates in ongoing in‑service education.
• Acts as a consultant to agency personnel.
• Coordinates care provided to patients and families under the direction of the Director of Health Services.
• Demonstrates knowledge of hospice services, progression of terminal illness, DNR/advance directives, financial resources, cultural diversity, family life cycle, grieving process, and burial planning.
• Employs skilled social work interventions (assessment, counseling, education, referral to community resources, crisis intervention).
• Continuously reassesses psychosocial needs of patient/resident and family (including bereavement risk).
• Maintains, formulates, and adheres to individualized care plans to address patient/resident/family needs.
• Identifies and attempts to resolve ethical situations that arise in the course of providing hospice care.
• Seeks assistance from leadership as needed.
• Participates in center/agency surveys (Licensure / JCAHO) and any subsequently required reports.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs to stay current in the field and maintain licensure/certification.
• Attends and participates in mandatory in‑services.
• Honors patients/residents’ rights to fair and equitable treatment, self‑determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to file complaints.
• Complies with corporate compliance program.
• Reports job‑related functions/tasks that involve occupational hazards, including exposure to blood and body fluids.
• Follows established safety regulations, including fire protection & prevention, smoking regulations, infection control, etc.
• Follows established safety procedures when performing tasks and/or working with equipment.
• Performs other related duties as necessary and as directed by supervisor.

Requirements

• Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) required.
• Experience: One year experience preferred.
• Licensure/Certification: Current social work licensure in good standing with the state licensure board; provide copy of license for personnel records. Current driver’s license and automobile liability insurance.
• Additional Qualifications:
  • Orientation and any other training necessary to complete duties effectively.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule.
  • Successful completion of criminal history, Office of the Inspector General sanction check, and licensure validations.
  • Clinical competency assessment within the first 90 days and as recommended.
  • Timely, regular attendance and punctuality.
  • Professional appearance and demeanor.
  • Strong communication skills with patients, families, and staff.

Benefits

• $5,000 sign‑on bonus.

Schedule

Full‑time