Social Worker FT

Responsibilities

• Completes and documents the comprehensive initial psychosocial assessment according to agency policy and timeframe.
• Affords ongoing psychosocial assessments throughout the course of care and documents in the notes and Plan of Care.
• Develops the plan of care and frequency of contact in collaboration with the patient and caregiver based on their goals for care and identified needs.
• Affords psychosocial assessments, emotional factors related to terminal illness, divergent expectations, coping and the need for counseling and support.
• Affords assessments of the existing emotional and social support systems and the need for additional support.
• Affords assessments of the need for volunteer support.
• Affords assessments of the developmental level of patient/caregiver, obstacles for learning or ability to participate in care and assists with understanding of goals and interventions.
• Affords assessments of the caregiver’s ability to function and provide care, communication abilities, environmental resources and obstacles to maintaining patient safety.
• Affords assessments of the potential risk for suicide and for abuse, neglect or exploitation.
• Affords assessments of the quality of life and sense of well-being and the loss of ability to enjoy physical activities and when appropriate, intimate issues.
• Affords assessments of the needs related to cultural values and preferences including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions that impact delivery of care and end of life practices.
• Affords assessments of the understanding of the diagnosis/prognosis, access to adequate and accurate information and the desire for information and education.
• Affords evaluations of the need for additional resources, respite care or long-term care, including the ability to accept the change in level of care and identifies resources and assists with placement.
• Affords assessments of the need for end-of-life decision making and assists with completion of advance directives and final arrangements as requested.
• Affords assessments of financial concerns and assists with accessing financial resources as needed.
• Affords assessments of the caregiver’s risk level for complicated or pathological grief and the need for bereavement support and early intervention.
• Provides support through education and strength-based counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy and mediation/facilitation for end-of-life stressors related to caregiving and death and helps manage anxiety, depression and to normalize emotions.
• Evaluates response to psychosocial interventions and satisfaction of services provided.
• Affords assistance to members of the IDT in recognizing and understanding the social, emotional, mental stress or disorder that may exacerbate symptoms related to terminal illness.
• Facilitates and participates in IDT meetings and other patient care conferences as needed.
• Communicates psychosocial information to inpatient facilities and across care teams when level of care or location is changed to ensure continuity of care.
• Affords participation in coordination of discharge planning and referrals as needed.
• Evaluates own need for support and self-care, using identified systems to meet needs.
• Recognizes and maintains professional boundaries in relationships with patient/caregiver.
• Abides by minimum expectations for on call rotation.
• Performs POS documentation and completes/signs all documentation according to agency protocol.
• Complies with minimum weekly visits and minimum patient care hours requirements per company protocol.

Qualifications

Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited program.

Current license to practice Social Work in the state of [State] required.

Experience working with individuals and families facing terminal illness and/or co-occurring mental health disorders.

Knowledge of hospice and palliative care principles and practices.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Strong organizational and time management skills.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.