Hospice Social Worker - MSW

JOB TITLE:                            Social Worker

RESPONSIBLE TO:             Patient Care Manager/Executive Director

POSITION SUMMARY:     Responsible for the provision of high-quality social work services to hospice patients and their families. Responsible for the provision of limited bereavement services to patients and their families.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

1. Conducts comprehensive social work assessment of patient/family units to determine needs, dynamics, and coping strategies. Documents findings in a manner consistent with hospice standards.
2. Provides limited bereavement support services, including initial bereavement assessment to evaluate patient/family social and emotional factors to estimate their potential to cope with terminal illness and death.
3. Provides SW supervision to the Bereavement Coordinator when complicated grief has been identified.
4. Promotes continuity of patient care and therapeutic intervention by developing a plan of care and communicating pertinent information to the patient/family, team members, and attending physicians as appropriate.
5. Coordinates the utilization of community resources to address the social, emotional, physical, and financial needs of the patients and families.
6. Provide psychosocial counseling and support to the patient/family experiencing emotional, social, and economic conflict.
7. Participates in the admission process including meeting with patients and families, providing hospice benefit information, and explanation, and obtaining signed consents. Assumes initial responsibility for assessing patient/family needs including caregiving, placement, etc.  In collaboration with IDT, coordinates staff and community services as patient /family needs indicate. 
8. Follows through and modifies the initial care plan for each patient as the needs of the patient/family change, under the direction of the IDT.
9. Participate in interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings to establish, review and revise the plan of care for each patient, including exchange of information, review of problems, and sharing of professional support.
10. Serves as an advocate for patients’ rights and assists them in completing Advanced Directives and POLST as requested. Respects the patient’s right to self-determination.
11. Demonstrates commitment to continually improving the quality of services and participates in the Quality Assessment Performance Improvement Program (QAPI), as requested.
12. Integrates QAPI into social work and bereavement components of care.
13. Demonstrates flexibility and accepts other duties as assigned.
14. Attends required in-services education.
15. Maintains confidentiality of patient information as appropriate.

JOB EXPECTATIONS:

1. Maintain patient/family confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA requirements.
2. Demonstrate self-management skills, time tracking, communicating, and tabulating results with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
3. Ability to work successfully with a variety of organizations and individuals.
4. Ability to organize, prioritize, assess, and communicate effectively.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master’s degree in Social Work required.
   
2. At least one year of experience working in the healthcare setting: hospice or home health experience preferred.
3. Knowledge of community resources including Medicare/Medicaid, financial aid, and county, state, and private social services agencies.
4. Must be able to work independently, have demonstrated patient care planning and patient teaching skills, and have strong written and verbal communication skills.
5. Must have general computer skills and a working knowledge of MS Office, Outlook, and Electronic Medical Records
6. Valid Driver’s License with a reliable and insured vehicle.

OSHA CATEGORY:

      Category II:  Tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues but employment may require performing unplanned Category I tasks. 

ClearPath Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.