Description

POSITION: Medical Social Worker/BSREPORTS TO: Support Services Team LeaderFLSA STATUS: o exempt POSITION DESCRIPTION: Coordinate and provide medical social work services to hospice patients and familiesEDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education preferred or bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology or other field related to social work.
• Two years of clinical experience preferred
• One year of social work experience in health care setting preferred

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of and commitment to the hospice philosophy of care
• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to work a flexible schedule
• Willingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age or sexual orientation. Must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness and receptiveness

Requirements

TRAINING-Initial And Ongoing:

• Complete Hospice volunteer/staff training program
• Complete Hospice orientation program
• Obtain 12 hours of continuing education per year, including mandatory safety in-service
• Attend minimum of six staff meetings per year
• Attend assigned team meetings every two weeks

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in orienting new team members, as requested
• Participate in quality improvement program
• Adhere to strict confidentiality 
• Adhere to safety policy and practices
• Complete employee time record accurately per policy
• Cooperate with all government agencies and outside auditors
• Assist with updating policies and procedures, as appropriate
• Complete annual TB screening
• Assure all license, certifications, continuing education information and any other required documentation are submitted to human resources and kept current
• Maintain up-to-date documentation required and specified in Hospice policy and procedure
• Perform other duties assigned by supervisor
• Evaluate the physical, financial, psychological, spiritual, and pre-bereavement needs of the patient/family in coordination with interdisciplinary team
• Assist in assessing patient appropriateness for services 
• If patient not appropriate, recommend other services available and refer to community agencies, as appropriate
• Educate the patient and family about Hospice services 
• Assess the financial resources of the patient and family and instruct them on coverage for Hospice services, 

i.e. Hospice Medicare/Medicaid benefit, Medicare, private insurance, as appropriate

• Discuss Hospice policy on “Fee for Service” when appropriate
• Access the appropriateness for support services within Hospice and, if appropriate, refer to master social worker or bereavement team
• Discuss Hospice volunteer, chaplain services, Veterans Honoring Veterans, and, if desired, refer to volunteer coordinator and/or chaplain
• Develop plan of care with goals defined by the patient/family and Hospice interdisciplinary team
• Provide social work services according to patient plan of care
• Communicate patient changes or family needs to volunteer, chaplain, massage therapist and minister, if applicable 
• Assist patient/family with applications, forms, etc. for implementation of appropriate services 
• Assist the physician and the interdisciplinary team (including the minister) in understanding the significant social and emotional factors related to the patient’s health problems
• Help the patient/family set priorities 
• Support individual coping mechanisms and facilitate constructive expression of feelings and concerns 
• Evaluate the effectiveness of social work interventions on a regular basis and when changes occur in the patient/family situation
• Review and update the plan of care as changes occur in the patient’s condition and as required by regulations
• Communicate with team members on an ongoing basis, apprising the primary team of any changes 
• Communicate with other social workers who might provide care in the primary social worker’s absence 
• Rotate on-call responsibilities, as needed
• Conduct timely utilization reviews
• Participate in volunteer/staff training, as requested
• Provide support at time of death, when appropriate 
• Attend funeral or receiving to provide support to family
• Serve palliative care patients, as assigned by team leader

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Visual acuity to read written documentation and computer tasks
• Speech and hearing skills necessary for telephone interaction and face to face contact
• Ability to sit as required to perform duties 
• Ability to stand, bend and lift an average of 30 pounds
• Manual dexterity with the ability to manipulate office equipment and complete written documentation
• Ability to walk, squat, kneel, climb and balance

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have an automobile with required insurance coverage and state driver’s license