Responsibilities

• • Assesses and completes the Comprehensive Assessment within five days of the patient’s election of hospice care to identify patient and family’s psychosocial, financial, environmental and community needs as evidence by POC documentation, clinical records, IDG/IDT meetings and community resource referrals.

    • Assists with advance directives, funeral planning, discharge planning, family counseling and may assist in changes in the level of care as indicated by the patient or family’s needs.
    • Uses effective interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written.
    • Meets mandatory continuing education requirements of the Hospice and licensing board. Demonstrates commitment, professional growth, and competency by maintaining a working knowledge of public and private eligibility standards and requirements.
    • Provides patient and family/care giver counseling around issues of end-of-life, death, and grief. Promote hospice philosophy and administrative policies to ensure quality of care.
    • Attends IDG/IDT meetings, participate in the patient care planning process and coordinating and collaborating with the IDG/IDT to promote coordination of patient care.
    • Accepts clinical assignments that are consistent with education and competence to meet the needs of the patients.
    • Provides an environment which promotes respect for patients and their privacy and property. Participates in the Hospice’s QAPI program.
    • Demonstrates commitment, professional growth, and competency.
    • Follows the Hospice infection control policy.
    • Promotes the Hospice’s philosophy and administrative policies to ensure quality of care. Participates in the Hospice’s educational in-service programs as required.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s Social Work (MSW) degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or Baccalaureate degree in social work (BSW) from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or Baccalaureate degree in psychology, sociology, or other field related to social work and is supervised by a MSW; and has one year of social work experience in a healthcare setting; or Baccalaureate degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, is employed by the Hospice before December 2, 2008 and is not required to be supervised by a MSW.

Licensure: Current and valid license as a LMSW or LBSW issued by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. Current drivers’ license.

Experience: One year of experience in palliative care or hospice preferred. Skills: Working knowledge of community resources. Good interpersonal skills. Demonstrates ability to work with computers.

Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel locally