Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists the patient/family in identifying appropriate community resources to help address their needs.

2. Assists in a variety of applications for patient/family assistance and with gathering required documentation with various community agencies.

3. Serves as a direct or indirect representative, and is a patient/family advocate with all related community agencies either by request of the patient/family or by virtue of prevailing circumstances.

4. Conducts goals of care conversations with patients and families in a culturally competent manner.

5. Maintains a community resource file in the area where the palliative care program is located with current information on all relative agencies within that area.

6. Actively works to increase awareness in the palliative care program of existing community resources.

7. Responsible for establishing trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement.

8. Provide ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with patients/families.

9. Conducts follow–ups with patients via phone calls, home visits and visits to other settings to meet with patients.

10. Maintains appropriate documentation in patient charts.

11. Attends and participates in internal VITAS Palliative Care team meetings.

12. Works closely to assist members of the interdisciplinary team in providing quality patient care. 

13. Utilizes a customer service approach in all interactions with VITAS patients, families, and employees, facility staff, referral sources, and business partners.

14. Adheres to the practice of confidentiality regarding patients, families, staff and the organization.

15. Other duties as requested by supervisor.

This position description does not state or imply the duties to be performed by Employee occupying this position are exclusively listed. Employees will be required to perform any job-related duties as assigned by their supervisor or management.

Qualifications:

1. Reliable transportation, current state driver’s license and automobile insurance.

2. Extensive knowledge of community resources within the specific community in which the palliative care program is located.

3. Knowledge of local, county, applicable state, and federal assistance programs.

Experience:

1. At least one year of social service experience in a health care setting or social service agency.

2. Experience as a community health worker with seriously ill patients and their families preferred.

3. Knowledge of the interdisciplinary team concept.

4. Experience in patient education, planning, and management preferred.

5. Ability to communicate tactfully, verbally and in writing with department heads, managers, coworkers and vendors to resolve problems and negotiate resolutions.

6. Computer skills required including the ability to use Outlook, Excel and Word, must be able to work within an automated system, and be able to access and use the internet.

Certification & Licensure:

Must have licensure and/or certification (if required by the state) to practice as a Community Health Worker in the state in which the position exists.

Reasonable Accommodations:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.