Position Summary

The primary purpose of your job position is to manage the social service needs of hospice patients, their families and caregivers. This includes all social service interventions and referrals, including needs assessment, supportive counseling, networking, resource procurement, crisis intervention and discharge planning. You will serve as a part of the interdisciplinary group, attending team conferences and coordinating care with the primary hospice nurse, family and client services staff and volunteers.

Relationships

Reports to: Director of Patient Services

Others: Interacts with IDT and administrative staff

Duties and Responsibilities

• Stewards the philosophy/mission of PH Healthcare, which focuses on the overriding values of human dignity and respectful response to the needs of persons with life threatening/terminal and/or chronic illnesses.
• Participate in the evaluation of referrals and hospice admissions as directed
• Assess patient and family for psychosocial needs and concerns within 72 hours of admissions by interviewing patients, family members, and support staff to obtain information about the environment, family relationships, history, financial status, and support systems.
• Participates with the interdisciplinary team in developing the team plan of care within and updates plan of care at least biweekly
• Coordinates psychosocial care to meet the needs and concerns of the family in a manner that is meaningful to them.
• Visits or contacts patients/families as specified in the plan of care.
• Maintains required documentationAssure action to obtain available community resources to assist in resolving the patient’s psychosocial problems.
• Assists with determination of patient/family spiritual, bereavement and volunteer needs
• Assist interdisciplinary team members in understanding social and emotional factors that affect patient/family coping and affect the plan of care.
• Conduct individual, family, or group counseling sessions when indicated.
• Provide resource information and education to families, interdisciplinary colleagues, and the community.
• Involve family and caregivers in identifying needs and in formulating a plan which would provide maximum benefit to the patient.
• Participates in community hospice and advanced directives education.

Qualifications

Graduate of a Master’s or Bachelor’s program in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; and is licensed as a LBSW, or LMSW, or LISW-CP by the State of SC. Must have, as a minimum, one (1) year social service experience in a health care setting with knowledge of death, dying, and bereavement. Hospice experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

•  Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, patients, family members, visitors, physicians, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must demonstrate ability in program development and administration to include knowledge of hospice health care policies and reimbursement practices.
• Ensure that reports required by regulatory agencies are prepared and submitted within established timeframes.
• Must be knowledgeable of hospice practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to hospice care.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
• Must have effective computer skills for documentation purposes.
• Must have knowledge in HIPAA compliance and regulations.

Working Conditions

• Requires travel within the agency’s service area in personal automobile, therefore, must have a current driver’s license, auto insurance, and have the ability to operate an automobile.
• Works in office area(s), the community, and long term care facilities.
• Moves intermittently during working hours
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with patients, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset patients, family members, personnel and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.
• Works flexible working hours as needed.
• Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.)
• Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, etc., throughout the work day, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

* Please note every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.