Medical Social Worker

Part Time: 15 to 20 hours per week

Position Overview

The medical social worker is responsible for implementing standards of care for medical social work services, as defined by the state’s Medical Social Work Practice Act. The MSW serves both the agency’s hospice and home care patients and their families.

Essential Functions

• Assesses the psychosocial status of patients related to the patient’s illness (terminal) and environment, identifies barriers to care and quality of life per the patient’s goals, and develops an appropriate plan of care to meet the patient’s care goals.
• Completes psycho-social evaluations and plans intervention based on assessment findings.
• Maintains timely clinical documentation on all patients referred to social work.
• Completes clinical assessments and progress notes of visits and patients’ response to the plan of care.
• Provides information and referral services for organization patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs.
• Provides information and serves as a liaison to patients or families/caregivers and community agencies on the services provided by the agency.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel and IDT team members to support patient care.
• Maintains and develops contacts with public and private agencies as resources for patient and organization personnel.
• Participates in the development of the total plan of care and case conferences as required.
• Provides education and assistance to patients and their families regarding advance directives.
• Assists physicians and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems.
• Participates in discharge planning as needed.
• Serves as a patient’s advocate with internal and external personnel.
• Supports agency’s bereavement program as needed and directed by Hospice Manager.
• Serves on and participates in agency’s committees and meetings.
• Participates and attends internal and external trainings as required or needed.
• Other duties as delegated by the Hospice or Clinical Manager.

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.

Position Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work from an accredited and licensed school of social work.Licensed as a social worker in the State of Maine or eligible for licensure.
• Minimum of one year of experience in health care.
• Experience in home-based care is preferred.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication and organization skills.
• Possesses and maintains current CPR certification.
• Licensed driver with an automobile that is in good working order and insured in accordance with the organization's requirements.