Medical Social Worker
JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE
Provides social work services including psychosocial assessments, brief patient/family counseling, support, resources and education intervention to meet the standards of the patient/family and ensure continuity of care.
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION
The Hospice teams at Samaritan Health Services support patients and family members through the final stages of their illness. Evergreen Hospice serves patients in Linn, Benton, Marion, Polk, Lincoln and Tillamook Counties. These services are offered in the home setting which may include the patient’s own residence, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and adult foster homes. Services offered include intermittent skilled nursing visits (24-hour on-call nursing services available), pain and symptom management, medical social services, counseling, spiritual support, hospice aides, trained hospice volunteers and bereavement support. Medications and equipment are included as appropriate.
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS
- Oregon LMSW (Masters-level Social Worker) or CSWA (Clinical Social Work Associate) licensure required.
- Healthcare Provider Level BLS required.
- Must be able to pass Criminal Records Check upon hire and every three (3) years thereafter.
- This position requires the use of the employee's personal automobile. Employee must have a valid driver's license and auto liability/property damage insurance as required by law and must maintain their vehicle in good working order.
- Oregon LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) preferred.
- Experience as a social worker in a hospital or medical setting preferred.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Community relations: Ability to communicate to people internal and external to the organization and to represent the organization to customers, the public, government agencies, and other external sources.
- Compliance: Ability to evaluate information to determine compliance with laws, regulations, or standards. Use knowledge and judgment skills to determine whether events or processes comply.
- Medical Terminology: Knowledge of medical records, procedures and terminology. Ability to read, interpret, and apply policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
- Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders in collaboration with the MD.
- Problem Solving: Ability to identify complex problems, review related information, employ creativity and alternative thinking to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions in collaboration with the health care team and the patient/family group.
- Social Perceptiveness: Ability to work with a diverse population from pediatrics to geriatrics. Basic understanding of age-related differences in caring for and communicating with patients and caregivers. Possess personal sensitivity to the needs and experiences of others and a non-judgmental attitude towards persons of differing standards, values, lifestyles, and ages.