Medical Social Worker Hospice

About the role

The Medical Social Worker provides medical social services to the patient and/or family according to the Plan of Care. Performs all assignments with honesty, integrity, and care that promotes the mission, vision, and values of Friendship Village.

Responsibilities

• Conducts a psychosocial assessment as part of the comprehensive assessment within 5 days of admission to the hospice program, including emotional, social, financial, and environmental resources, and identifies appropriate psychosocial problems, interventions, and goals for the patient’s plan of care.
• Participates in IDG meetings and the development of the patient’s plan of care.
• Observes, records, and reports changes in the patient’s emotional and social factors that are affected by the patient’s illness and need for care and response to treatment.
• Maintains and submits written clinical records as deemed by the Agency, including the initial evaluation, the care plan, and daily notes.
• Evaluates the patient’s and family’s response to, and effectiveness of, the medical social work intervention.
• Confirms, on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits with the patient’s Case Managers to facilitate coordination of other staff visits.
• Participates in IDG and QAPI meetings and activities.
• If the patient/family declines social work services, continues to offer support to the IDG in its care of the patient and to monitor the patient/caregiver’s evolving needs.
• Participates in discharge planning, as needed.
• Assesses the patient’s/family members’ ability to cope with the patient’s dying.
• Acts as consultant to the members of the health team, assisting them in understanding the social, emotional, and environmental factors related to the patient’s health problems.
• Helps patients to utilize the resources of their families and the community.
• Exhibits well-developed communication skills; can professionally receive and follow oral instructions in English; able to understand and use simple math.
• Ability to cope with mental and emotional stress related to the position, function independently, and have flexibility and professionalism.
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships.

Requirements

• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
• Hospice experience preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license with good driving record and reliable transportation.