Social Worker

Position Summary:

The Hospice of Baton Rouge is seeking a compassionate and skilled Full-Time Social Worker to join our hospice interdisciplinary team. This position plays a vital role in supporting patients and their families by addressing psychosocial, emotional, and practical needs throughout the end-of-life journey.

The Social Worker provides counseling, care planning support, and resource coordination while working collaboratively with nurses, physicians, chaplains, and other team members to ensure holistic, patient-centered care. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, sound clinical judgment, and a commitment to the hospice philosophy of comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

Job Functions:

• Assess the psychosocial needs, coping abilities, and emotional response of patients and families related to terminal illness 

• Provide counseling and emotional support to patients and families, including anticipatory grief and loss support 

• Participate in the development, implementation, and ongoing revision of individualized patient care plans as part of the interdisciplinary team 

• Attend weekly interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings and contribute to care plan discussions 

• Assist patients and families with end-of-life decision making and advance care planning 

• Identify financial, social, and environmental needs and connect patients and families with appropriate community resources 

• Provide grief and bereavement support, including referrals for ongoing counseling when appropriate 

• Assist with discharge planning and transitions of care as needed 

• Educate patients, families, staff, volunteers, and community members on psychosocial aspects of hospice care and the role of social work 

• Serve as a resource to team members regarding emotional, social, and family dynamics impacting care 

• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation of all patient interactions and interventions 

• Manage an assigned caseload of approximately 25–35 patients and families, as determined by operational needs 

• Comply with all organizational policies and applicable state and federal regulations 

• Uphold professional and ethical standards of social work practice.

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work required

Certifications:

• Licensure or pending licensure by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LMSW or LCSW) required

Work Experience:

• Hospice experience preferred, or demonstrated understanding of hospice philosophy and end-of-life care

Special Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and counseling skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team
• Effective communication skills with patients, families, physicians, facilities, and staff
• Ability to manage time, prioritize responsibilities, and maintain professional boundaries

Other Requirements:

• Must have reliable transportation and maintain proof of liability insurance in accordance with state requirements
• Must be able to travel to patient homes and care locations independently
• Must be able to perform all essential job functions without assistance
• Must install and utilize company communication applications on a personal cellular device