Licensed Social Worker-Palliative Care Team

About the role

The Navigator Social Worker plays a crucial role in providing and facilitating support services to patients and their families. This position involves psychosocial consultation, referrals, and direct services. The role also includes maintaining accurate patient records and collaborating with the transdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Follows up and interacts with patients/families/caregivers and employees in a courteous and professional manner
• Participates in the transdisciplinary Navigator Support service team and provides direct, critical psychosocial support to patients and families
• Uses professional background and skills to assist the team and facilitate patient/family meetings
• Aids in clarifying treatment goals and the plan of care
• Completes arrangements as needed for patient/family/caregiver satisfaction
• Assists in advocacy and oversight of services based on patient self-determination to ensure patient and family satisfaction
• Aids in placement arrangements
• Facilitates formal and informal meetings regarding patient and family communication and decision making
• Coordinates team efforts with appropriate hospital, hospice, and/or facility departments to ensure care coordination, smooth discharge planning, and/or transition to appropriate services
• May assist in developing a care transition model for patients
• Assesses patient/family social and emotional factors and the need for economic support to estimate their capacity and potential to cope with an advanced serious illness
• Develops and implements the plan of care based on a thorough psychosocial assessment and consultation with team members
• Provides counseling services to the patient and family experiencing emotional, social, and economic conflict
• Supports and educates patients and their families in relation to anticipatory grief
• Documents patient care following established Hospice of the Western Reserve standards of documentation practice
• Participates in the development and review of appropriate protocols and processes that support appropriate referral and consistent care
• Adheres to established Western Reserve Navigator policies and procedures and all regulatory and legal requirements and practices within the NASW Code of Ethics
• Consistently follows all departmental and organizational protocols and practices to ensure service excellence is achieved with both internal and external customers, and that boundaries within the scope of practice are not exceeded
• Actively participates in meetings at the individual, group, and organizational levels, internally and externally to achieve desired outcomes
• Works collaboratively with the transdisciplinary team to provide patient and family-oriented advanced illness management services
• Works in collaboration with the finance team to evaluate and monitor patient's insurance coverage and options in assessing patient/family ability to meet financial obligations
• Aids patients, families, and staff in acquiring and utilizing internal and community resources
• Assesses patient/family ability to meet financial obligations, offers appropriate resources and assists with activation of those resources as indicated
• Adjusts to changes in workload and schedules based on changing departmental and organizational priorities
• Aids Team Leader in ensuring excellent patient care services, coordinating educational and outreach services, leading quality improvement initiatives, and linking team efforts with community partners

Qualifications

• Minimum of one (1) year social work experience within a recognized agency or health care organization
• Knowledge of hospice and palliative care clinical standards of practice, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of community and social services resources
• Ability to meet patient/family needs that require variable hours
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the community at all levels
• Ability to demonstrate excellence in written and oral communication
• Ability to demonstrate positive customer service responsiveness
• Ability to provide own transportation
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and auto accident insurance at a level acceptable to RC and/or RC’s insurer

Benefits

Details Total Rewards Package to include Retirement, Health, Dental, Vision, voluntary benefits and Corporate Discounts

Technology Package

Protocols in place for wellbeing during COVID-19

Conditions of Employment

• Compliance to Annual Flu Shot Policy or ability to provide exemption documentation
• Provide an active auto insurance policy as a licensed driver in the State of Ohio with the proper level of coverage as directed
• Provide an active driver’s license
• Ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States
• Necessary to have high level of integrity, ethics, and professionalism