Social Worker Hospice

Job Summary:

The Hospice Social Worker provides emotional support, counseling, and resource navigation to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Working as part of an interdisciplinary hospice care team, the Social Worker helps address the psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of patients, ensuring a high quality of life throughout the end-of-life journey. This role involves comprehensive psychosocial assessments, crisis intervention, advance care planning, and coordination of community services in accordance with hospice philosophy and regulatory guidelines. This role primarily hospice however, home health patients may be seen as well.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct initial and ongoing psychosocial assessments of hospice patients and families to determine emotional, social, and environmental needs.
• Develop and implement individualized care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary hospice team.
• Provide emotional support, grief counseling, and crisis intervention to patients, families, and caregivers.
• Assist patients and families with end-of-life planning, including advance directives, funeral arrangements, and decision-making support.
• Educate patients and families on available community resources and assist with referrals for services such as financial aid, transportation, housing, or caregiver support.
• Serve as a liaison between the patient/family and community agencies, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, or assisted living facilities as needed.
• Document all social work interactions, assessments, and interventions accurately and in compliance with regulatory requirements and agency policy.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure cohesive and coordinated care.
• Support bereavement services, including follow-up contact with families after the patient’s death and participation in memorial events or grief support groups.
• Comply with all Medicare/Medicaid regulations and HIPAA standards for patient confidentiality and care.
• Maintain professional licensure and participate in ongoing training and education to stay current with best practices in hospice and palliative care.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

Education/Certifications      

• MSW from an accredited institution
• LCSW strongly preferred

   Experience

One year of previous experience as a social worker in a medical setting is preferred. Working knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid regulations, death and grief issues, Condition of Participation, and community resources preferred.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

Knowledge:

• Deep understanding of hospice philosophy, palliative care principles, and end-of-life issues.
• Knowledge of psychosocial and emotional needs of terminally ill patients and their families.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal resources and regulations related to hospice, Medicare/Medicaid, and social services.
• Understanding of grief and bereavement processes and cultural sensitivity in end-of-life care.
• Proficiency in documentation standards and confidentiality regulations (e.g., HIPAA compliance).

Skills:

• Strong assessment and critical thinking skills to evaluate patient/family psychosocial needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build trust and rapport with diverse individuals and families.
• Effective counseling and crisis intervention techniques.
• Organizational and time management skills to manage a dynamic caseload.
• Skilled in conflict resolution, advocacy, and patient-centered problem-solving.
• Competence in electronic health records (EHR) and basic computer applications (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).

Abilities:

• The ability to work compassionately and respectfully with patients experiencing terminal illness and emotional distress.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and practice self-care in a demanding emotional environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to handle sensitive topics (e.g., death, family conflict, spirituality) with empathy and professionalism.
• The ability to adapt to changing situations and navigate complex family dynamics or ethical dilemmas.