Licensed Social Worker, Hospice Home Care, Queens

About the role

Provides social work services to patients and families in collaboration with the health care team consistent with VNS Home Care policies. Works under general supervision.

Responsibilities

• Assesses clients and/or family psychosocial status, social work needs and living conditions utilizing professional knowledge, observation and interviewing skills.
• Establishes the social work component of the patient/family plan of care based on mutually acceptable goals and makes referrals to community services as necessary.
• Travels to patients’ homes and other facilities with varying environments (e.g., elevated buildings, walk‑ups, care facilities, single/multiple family homes, presence of pets) using approved transportation options to deliver direct service.
• Provides psychosocial work services, including short‑term individual counseling, community resource planning, and crisis intervention; responds to emergent psychosocial needs as requested.
• Advocates for patients and families, assisting in obtaining entitlements and community services.
• Delivers services in accordance with VNS Health policies, practices, procedures and Standards of Social Work Practice, which may require standing, stooping, sitting, crouching, bending and stretching.
• Initiates and maintains verbal and written communication per VNS Home Care policy, including preparation of clinical and progress notes to ensure optimal quality care.
• Manages social work planning for a caseload of patients from assessment to discharge, maintaining productivity sufficient to meet program goals.
• Assists physicians and team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to patients’ health problems.
• Participates in development and revision of treatment plans, coordinating approaches with other team members.
• Consults with and educates patients and families regarding treatment plans, self‑care techniques and prevention strategies.
• Utilizes appropriate community resources and serves as a liaison between VNS Health and other community agencies.
• Participates in discharge planning.
• Assumes responsibility for continued professional growth, such as in‑service programs.
• Transports and utilizes VNS Health‑designated carrying case (up to 30 lb) as needed to and from patient homes, care facilities, offices and other locations.
• Acts as a resource to VNS Health staff.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Licenses and Certifications: Current registration to practice as a Licensed Social Worker in New York State (required) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York State (preferred). Valid driver’s license or NYS Non‑Driver photo ID card required, as determined by operational/regional needs.
• Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work from a CSWE‑accredited graduate program, certified or licensed by the New York State Education Department (required).
• Work Experience: Minimum of one year of social work experience in a health‑care setting (required).
• Bilingual Skills: May be required, as determined by operational needs.

Pay

USD $70,200.00 – USD $87,700.00 per year.

About Us

VNS Health has been committed to meeting the needs of New Yorkers for over 130 years. We’re one of the largest nonprofit home‑ and community‑based health care organizations in the country, and today, more than 11,500 team members work together to make a difference in the lives of more than 99,000 patients and members on any given day.