QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

1. Education & Experience: Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) with current LMSW or LLMSW licensure and at least one (1) year of healthcare experience; or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) with current LBSW licensure and a minimum of five (5) years of healthcare experience.
2. Experience with issues concerning the terminally ill and death/dying.
3. Presents a negative TB skin test and/or chest X-ray and other tests as required by Centrica Care Navigators.
4. Maintains a valid Michigan driver’s license and has the availability of a reliable, licensed and insured vehicle for use on the job, vehicle must be insured in accordance with the State of Michigan.
5. Remains up to date on all routine immunizations required by LARA and agency policy.

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Social Worker is responsible for the implementation of social work services for the patient/family/caregiver from the time of admission through the date of discharge, transfer, or death.  The Social Worker is a member of the Interdisciplinary Team and provides interventions to meet the psychosocial needs of the patient/family/caregiver.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1. Provides psychosocial assessment, brief therapy, crisis intervention, education, and planning with patient/families caregivers to promote optimal functioning as they are coping with living with a terminal illness.  Additionally, the Social Worker assists with the Comprehensive Assessment for each patient, conducts an Initial Bereavement Risk Assessment, and determines potential needs for the bereaved following the death of the patient.
2. Interventions include education and counseling to the patient/family/caregiver related to adjustments to illness or terminal prognosis, anticipatory grief, stress, care giving concerns, environmental and financial needs, coping mechanisms, and other issues as identified in the patient’s Plan of Care.
3. Participates in the development of the Plan of Care, updating the Interdisciplinary Team of the patient/family/caregiver psychosocial status during report and team meetings.
4. Provides information and referral related to community resources for patient/families/caregivers based on needs identified in the initial/ongoing assessment and Plan of Care.
5. Provides education and assistance with Advance Directives as needed.
6. Serves as liaison between patients/families/caregivers and community agencies, when patient consents to contact with a particular agency.
7. Serves as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team and maintains collaborative relationships with agency personnel to support patient care.
8. Assists physician, volunteers, and other team members in understanding significant social and emotion­al factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.
9. Participates in discharge planning when needed.  Assists with alternatives to the care giving situation, including use of shift care or placement in Adult Foster Care Homes, Assisted Living, or Nursing Homes.
10. Provides community education and facilitates groups when assigned.
11. Shares in the responsibilities of providing weekend on-call and weekend Social Work visit coverage to patients and caregivers.

Duties

1. Actively participates in organization-wide performance improvement activities.
2. Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ standards of personal and professional conduct.
3. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the Hospice philosophy of care, agency mission, and vision.
4. Ensures that all necessary information is shared with appropriate personnel.
5. Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ Workplace Safety Program.
6. Understands and complies with Hospice Medicare and Medicaid conditions of participation.
7. Complies with applicable local, federal and state regulations, Quality Partners standards, compliance guidelines, privacy protections and protected health information.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

TYPES OF EQUIPMENT USED

Microcomputer and general office equipment.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
2. Good organizational skills.
3. Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.
4. Strong medical social work skills with emphasis on knowledge of death and dying.
5. Familiar with various reimbursements and the implications for case management.
6. Good internal and external organizational sensitivity.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

1. General office, multi-office sites, and floors.
2. In and out of automobile.
3. Community home environment, including adult foster care homes, assisted living, Nursing homes, or other residence of the patient.
4. Exposure to infectious disease.
5. Frequent telephone activity.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A typical eight (8) hour workday includes intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and repetitive hand motions associated with writing and computer keyboard typing.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Centrica personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor.  In addition, Centrica personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities.  All personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.