Medical Social Worker (MSW)

FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs patient psychosocial assessments to augment existing services and contributes to the plan of treatment.
• Reports changes in the patient’s conditions and needs to the RN Case Manager or Director of Patient Care Services.
• Completes psychosocial assessments and collaborates with patients, families, and caregivers to identify needs and implement a plan.
• Observes for safety hazards in the patient’s and organization’s environments and takes appropriate steps to reduce or eliminate them.
• Assists the physician and other members of the health team in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to the patient's terminal illness.
• Responsible for contributing to the development and implementation of the patient’s specific plan of care which assists patients, families, and caregivers in coping and/or restoring social, emotional, and financial factors which have been affected by the medical condition.
• Provides counseling on disease acceptance and understanding and assesses when patient would be appropriate for other programs.
• Delivers psychodynamic interventions, crisis intervention, grief/bereavement counseling, problem solving, stress reduction, and developing health coping strategies.
• Able to complete comprehensive assessment with behavioral health and substance-related diagnoses and recommendations for treatment planning.
• Identifies, facilitates, and coordinates community health care delivery system, governmental organizations, and other providers of services in support of the patient’s care needs.
• Functions as part of the patient care team, attending Interdisciplinary Care Team meetings.
• Provides consultation and education to the community to increase knowledge related to the program and serves as an information source and education resource person to community, agency personnel, and volunteers as appropriate.
• Evaluates and prioritizes written/oral referrals and maintains company documentation in a timely manner.
• Collaborates with internal and external resources.
• Discusses options of care proactively.
• Maintains continuing education through academic studies, seminars, and workshops.
• Attends and participates in in-services, staff meetings, and case conferences.
• Assists patients in advocating for themselves.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Master of social work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or a baccalaureate degree in psychology, sociology, or other field related to social work and in supervised by an MSW as described.
• Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.) preferred but not required.
• Current Basic Life Support license (BLS).
• Experience: Has one year of social work experience in a health care setting; or Has a baccalaureate degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, is employed by the hospice before September 2, 2008, and is not required to be supervised by an MSW.
• Core Competencies: Knowledge of psychosocial theories and use of psychosocial treatment techniques. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrates positive communication skills in interacting with other members of the team. Comprehensive knowledge of counseling and referral services involving home care patients.
• Other: Valid driver's license, and auto insurance.