Hospice Social Worker (MSW)

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, and assessments for financial needs and services, including written explanations of Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance benefits to prospective patients/families when necessary.
• Provides guidance regarding the grief and loss process.
• Completes psychosocial history and assessment, evaluating the needs of the patient and family systems within the guidelines of policies and procedures.
• Provides crisis intervention and suicide assessment.
• Participates in the development and updates of the plan of care with the interdisciplinary team.
• Provides 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 for 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 other resources as needed.
• Trains hospice staff and nursing home staff on the psycho-social needs of patients/families.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises hospice and home care volunteers, including assignments to families and patients.
• Assists physicians and other healthcare team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to the patient’s health problems.
• Supervises or advises assigned BSW or baccalaureate degree persons working in the capacity of a social worker.
• Prepares clinical and progress notes according to policy and procedures.
• Uses appropriate community resources.
• Participates in discharge planning and 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 (e.g., assessment, counseling, education, referral to community resources, crisis intervention).
• Continually 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.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) required.
• One year of experience preferred.
• Current licensure as a Social Worker and in good standing with the state licensure board.
• Current Driver’s License and Automobile Liability Insurance.
• Positive criminal history check, Office of the Inspector General Sanction Check, and licensure validations.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Must maintain timely, regular attendance and professional appearance.
• Strong communication skills with patients, residents, clients, and family members.

Qualifications

• Completion of orientation and any other necessary training to perform assigned duties effectively.
• Clinical Competency Assessment within the first 90 days of employment and as recommended by the Administrator.

Schedule

Full-time, 1st Shift.