Medical Social Worker - Hospice

About the role

Medical Social Services will be provided by a qualified social worker under the direction of a physician. Services will be based on the patient’s psychosocial assessment and the patient and family’s needs. The Master of Social Work is responsible for supporting and supervising Medical Social Workers to deliver high-quality care consistent with standards of practice. The Master of Social Work may also deliver medical social services to patients, participate in the coordination of care with the Interdisciplinary Group/Team (IDG/T), and participate in on-call rotation per the Hospice needs. The Master of Social Work reports to the Hospice Administrator.

Role Expectations

• Provide supervision for Medical Social Workers consistent with training and experience of Medical Social Workers, taking into consideration the complexity of patient care and collaboration with the IDT/G.
• Be readily available when social services are being provided.
• Hold documented conferences with the Medical Social Worker regarding patient care and determine the frequency of the conferences consistent with accepted standards of practice.
• Assess and complete the Comprehensive Assessment within five (5) days of the patient’s election of hospice care to identify patient and family’s psychosocial, financial, environmental and community needs as evidenced by POC, documentation, clinical records, IDG/T meetings and community resource referrals.
• Assist with advance directives, funeral planning, discharge planning, family counseling and may assist in changes in the level of care as indicated by the patient or family’s needs.
• Meet mandatory continuing education requirements of the Hospice and licensing board.
• Demonstrate commitment, professional growth, and competency by maintaining a working knowledge of public and private eligibility standards and requirements.
• Provide patient and family/caregiver counseling around issues of end-of-life, death, and grief.
• Attend IDG/Team meetings, participate in the patient care planning process and coordinate and collaborate with the IDG to promote coordination of patient care.
• Provide an environment that promotes respect for patients and their privacy and property.
• Provide services utilizing infection control measures (OSHA).
• Ensure timely submission of all required paperwork.
• Demonstrate commitment and professional growth by participating in hospice-sponsored in-service programs and maintaining or improving competency; participate in the Hospice’s QAPI program.
• Promote the Hospice’s philosophy and administrative policies.
• Perform on-call responsibilities and provide on-call services to patients and their families as assigned; meet productivity standards.
• Provide effective communication to patients, their family members, team members, and other health care professionals.
• Have reliable transportation and valid auto liability insurance.

Requirements

Education and experience

• Graduate of a Medical Social Work degree as a Licensed Medical Social Worker.
• Graduate of a Master’s program.
• Adhere to state regulations where practicing, including Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council Standards and evidence of passing the Texas Jurisprudence Exam.
• Current driver’s license.
• One (1) year of experience in palliative care or hospice preferred.

Skills

• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with computers.

Physical Requirements

Works in patient homes in various conditions; possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and infectious diseases; ability to work a flexible schedule; ability to travel locally; some exposure to unpleasant weather; PRN emergency calls.

Physical and Mental Effort

• Prolonged standing and walking required, with ability to lift up to 50 lbs and move patients.
• Works under some stressful conditions to meet deadlines and patient needs, and to make quick decisions and resource acquisition; meets patient/family individualized psychosocial needs.
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
• Ability to communicate with patients, families, physicians, co-workers, and visitors to exchange accurate information regarding patient condition and health status.
• Ability to exchange and express information by means of language and communicate information effectively.
• Ability to hear the nature of sounds and give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions; use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Ability to view tablet, Electronic Health Record, and review, assess, record or type data quickly and accurately.
• Ability to travel to patient homes and office/support center locations as needed to deliver care or for education purposes.