An individual who is responsible for the delivery of varied social work services to Hospice patients and their families. The purpose of this position is to provide initial psychosocial evaluations, ongoing psychosocial counseling, direct casework services, bereavement services, and community education, outreach and referral. The Hospice social worker is an integral part of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Group.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Graduate with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work; a master’s degree preferred.
2. Registration/licensure to practice as a Medical Social Worker in the state of practice.
3. One (1) year of social work experience in a health care setting, preferably hospice.
4. Experience working with grief, loss death and dying preferred.
5. Speaks, writes, reads, and comprehends English.
RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to):
1. Prepares a thorough psychosocial history and Plan of Care to guide the hospice team in meeting the social and emotional needs of caring for the terminally ill patient and family.
2. Participates actively in the IDG meetings and facilitates discussion of issues relating to the psychosocial component of hospice care.
3. Assists the patient and his/her family to utilize existing resources in the home
environment or refers patient and family to community agencies and acts as an
intermediary for patient as necessary.
4. Assesses, when appropriate, a family financial situation, taking into consideration the patient’s prognosis and medical need, then facilitates the referral process to any agency for financial assistance.
5. Provides counseling services to the patient/family experiencing emotional, social economic, or bereavement issues.
6. Assists in discharge planning from hospice service when care is no longer appropriate.
7. Participates in orientation and in-service training programs for professional staff.
8. Participates in orientation, training, and coordination of hospice volunteers as
appropriate.
9. Participates in agency and community programs as requested to promote professional growth and understanding of hospice care.
10. Records clinical/progress notes and documents on the IDG Plan of Care in the patient’s medical record.
11. Assists patients and their families with personal and environmental difficulties, which predispose them to illness and interfere with their obtaining maximum benefits from medical care.
12. Documents all patient-related activities in a timely manner.
13. Reacts to change productively and performs other job-related tasks and duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Able to lift, push, and pull light to moderate loads.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
1. Social Worker License
2. Current Driver’s License
3. Current Automobile Liability Insurance According to Company Policy & Procedure
Professional Field
Counseling
Social Work
Other Behavioral, Mental, or Healthcare FieldPatient Focus
Diagnoses
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Issues
Grief and Loss
Therapeutic Approach
Methodologies
ECT
Modalities
Families
Individuals
Practice Specifics
Populations
Hospice/Palliative Care
Undergraduate/Graduate/Post Graduate
Racial Justice Allied
Settings
Hospice
Milieu
Home Health/In-home




