The Social Worker is a member of the Inter Disciplinary Group (IDG) and renders to patients and families such services as are customary in social work settings in the solution of emotional, social and financial problems which interfere with optimum effectiveness of Hospice services and with the patient and family’s quality of life.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

• Completes admission paperwork/signatures and is present for admission with nursing staff.
• Makes a comprehensive evaluation of psychosocial status as related to patient’s illness and environment and development of the individualized Hospice care plan within 5 days of patient’s admission to service.
• As a member of the IDG, the social worker attends IDG meetings, participates in development of the initial and comprehensive care plan and the care plan review and update. Facilitates discussion of patient/family issues relating to the psychological component of Hospice.
• Assists team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems; and in understanding how each family’s dynamics influencing their unique response to coping with a terminal condition.
• Explains the Hospice insurance benefit to the patient and family. Explores the family’s financial situation and assist families in applying for any financial assistance they may be eligible for. Evaluates the need for Hospice fee subsidization and completes appropriate documentation of this need.
• Provides emotional support and other services as determined in the care plan. May make referrals to other agencies as appropriate or for assistance with problems outside the scope of hospice services.
• Encourages open communication between family members, facilitates anticipatory grieving and assists the patient and family in their struggle towards acceptance. Allows patients and families to express their fear, anger, grief, denial and other emotions and to move through the grieving process at their own rate in their own way.
• Assesses and monitors the family’s social and emotional factors in order to estimate the capacity and potential to care for a terminally ill family member at home.
• Participates in quality assurance, utilization review and risk management activities as requested.
• Participates in HOC orientation and in-services programs for professional staff.
• Enters accurate, prompt, thorough, professional documentation into the computer record.
• Other assignments as may be appropriate.

Qualifications:

The Social Worker shall have the following education and experiences:

• Ability to make meaningful observations and complete brief accurate documentation of service
• Ability to recognize the needs of people and to maintain good relationships.
• Master’s degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and the Education Department and is certified or licensed by the Education Department to practice social work in the State of New York.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Medical specialties:

• Hospice & Palliative Medicine

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Work Location: In person