Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice’s (SSRCH) social worker provides services to home care clients that address the social and/or emotional factors impacting on their ability to achieve the goals identified in the Plan of Care. Patient and family services are provided under the direction of a physician and consultation with Psychosocial Manager

Essential Duties:

1. Provides social service assessment, counseling, education, and ongoing evaluation of clients receiving services under a medically approved Plan of Care.

• Completes assessments in a timely manner and in accordance with Agency policy.
• Develops a written plan to provide information and direction to members of the health care team.
• Documents all findings, plans, interventions, and client progress in the clinical record.
• Assists in crisis intervention.

2. Completes social history on assigned clients to provide information needed to determine level of service and types of resources.

3. Participates in consultations with potential patients and families for Home and Center Hospice &/or Palliative Care Program.

• Explains Hospice & Palliative Care Program and assesses appropriateness of the patient.
• Initiates start of care procedures and forwards to appropriate Supervisor.
• Provides tours, as needed, for patients/families/visitors visiting the Hospice Center.
• Initiates start of care paperwork, when needed, covering consent forms, room and board, etc.

4. Demonstrates teamwork and effective communication to accomplish client, team and SSRCH goals.

• Participates in care conferences and other team/Agency meetings. Shares client observations as well as professional expertise. Initiates interdisciplinary referrals.
• Shares information about the availability of community resources and how to access information and services to facilitate client care and for staff development, as requested.
• Participates in Agency quality improvement activities.

5. Demonstrates compliance with SSRCH policies and procedures, and professional and community standards.

• Provides services in accordance with applicable state, federal, CHAP and JCAHO requirements.
• Attends meetings and educational programs as required.
• Accepts responsibility for personal and professional development and identifies learning/developmental needs.
• Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of the job.

6. Promotes the mission of SSRCH through collaboration with community agencies and organizations and actively participates in special events and community activities.

7. Participates in on-call rotation for psychosocial team.

8. Participates in Interdisciplinary Group.

9. Participates in SSRCH provided education and employee meetings and other training programs as deemed necessary.

10. Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Personal Qualifications

1. Affirms the knowledge, philosophy and principles of hospice care.

2. Maintains patient confidentiality.

3. Directs and applies problem-solving techniques in resolving issues.

4. Instills confidence in the patient by maintaining a neat and professional appearance and performing duties in a competent and caring manner.

5. Able to maintain healthy boundaries.

6. Self-directed.

7. Ability to develop positive interpersonal relationships.

8. Ability to handle stressful and emergency situations.

9. Ability to emphasize the importance of quality rather than quantity of life and assist patients and family to live as fully as possible.

Working Conditions

1. Work Requirements: Ability to work beyond the standard work week along with flexible hours necessary to meet patient, family and SSRCH’s needs. Travel on a daily basis.

2. Physical Requirements: Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Climb Stairs as needed. Manual dexterity and visual acuity to operate computer and other office equipment. a. Home Care - Locates and drives to and from patients’ homes and to meetings.

3. Mental Requirements: Read, speak, write, and understand English. Must be able to function independently without supervision.

4. Working/Environmental Conditions: Fast-paced changing environment, with multiple directives from several disciplines.

a. Home Care- Requires work in patient homes with no control over environmental conditions.

5. Machines, Equipment, Tools Used: automobile, telephone, fax machine, computer and printer.

6. Exposures: Potential exposure to communicable diseases, infectious materials, bodily odors, bodily fluids, and other pollutants

7. Personal Protective Equipment Required: Assorted gloves, masks, impervious gowns or aprons.

Professional Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in social work.

2. Minimum of one (1) year social work experience in a health care setting or equivalent experience. Home care experience preferred.

3. Current CPR certification, as applicable.

4. Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.

5. Demonstrates knowledge of resources available in community/service area.

6. Licensed driver with automobile insured in accordance with state/Agency requirements. Good driving record and reliable transportation.