Position Summary:

Works under the general direction of the Hospice Social Worker Preceptor and Management in accordance with agency policies; prepares psychosocial evaluations; provides medical social casework with preceptor oversight to patients and families having difficulty in social functioning, primarily as it effects their health. Refers and aids in the referral process to social agencies; and generally serves as a medical social worker in the agency's total program under the guidance and direction of the Hospice Social Worker Preceptor.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Evaluate the psychosocial situation of the patient and family to augment existing service, or as a guide in determining or changing level of care, taking into consideration: family relationships; the meaning of illness to the patient and his/her family; cultural attitudes in relation to illness; the meaning of the home to the patient; the ability of the patient and his/her family to adjust to the patient at home; and the financial impact of illness upon the family.

2. Provide social casework as an entity where appropriate to individuals and families receiving nursing or other service from the agency to: help patient and family understand, accept and follow medical recommendations and provide services planned to restore the patient to optimum social and health adjustment within his/her capacity; and assist patients and families with personal and environmental difficulties that predispose toward illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefit from the home health team.

3. Record, date and sign into the patient's record with sign off by a MSW/Preceptor: psychosocial evaluation; social work treatment plan; summary of significant aspects of each home visit or telephone discussion, including dates of next visits; social service summaries for physicians or other agencies; and documentation of all professional communication with patient, family members and other members of the interdisciplinary team.

4. Respond to appropriate referrals for evaluation or casework by agency staff or by professionals from outside the agency in accordance with the plan of treatment authorized or established by a licensed physician and referral to the Medical Social Worker of the agency.

5. Develop a social work treatment plan with consultation with Preceptor based upon the evaluation.

6. Assess, when indicated, a family's financial situation, taking into consideration patient's prognosis and medical needs, referring to an agency for financial assistance when indicated, interpreting the medical situation to the referring agency generally facilitating the process of referrals.

7. Determine the need for continuing or altering the social work services treatment plan with consultation with Preceptor and keep the health team appraised of the situation.

8. Participate in agency case conferences and in individual consultation with physicians and other members of the health team to identify social and emotional problems, with their severity and interrelatedness with the patient's medical situation, as well as assessing a family's strengths and weaknesses and discussing alternate methods of alleviating the situation, including planning for discharge from agency service.

9. Participate in agency inservice programs.

10. Consult with other agencies for appropriate information to achieve referrals of patients and families to proper community resources.

11. Participate, if appropriate, in case conferences with other agencies.

12. Interprets social resources to staff and health services to social agencies.

Qualifications:

Required:

· Pursing a Master's degree in social work with this work experience qualifying for degree internship requirements.

· Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.

· Ability to treat material handled confidentially

Preferred:

· None

• Schedule: Per Diem
• Requisition ID: 24002439
• Daily Work Times: 8:00am-5:00pm
• Hours Per Pay Period: 0
• On Call: Yes
• Weekends: Yes