JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Hospice social workers help patients and their families plan for their end-of-life care. Help them understand their treatment plans and advocate for their needs; mange the stress of end-of-life illness, the emotional, familial, and financial situations. Helping the patient and their families overcome crisis situations, connect to additional supports if needed and provides aftercare and assistance with bereavement issues as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assesses the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient’s terminal illness and environment and communicates findings to the registered nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary group. Provides an assessment in the patient’s identified residence and assistance when this is not safe and another plan is required.
• Carries out social evaluations, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high-risk for suicide, neglect or abuse and plans interventions based on evaluation findings. Counsels patient and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties. Provides crisis intervention when necessary.
• Assesses for, and educates interdisciplinary group, on any special needs related to the culture of the patient and family. Includes communication, role of family, space and any special traditions or taboos.
• Maintains and timely documents clinical records on all patients referred for social work.
• Educates patient and families on and assists in preparation of advance directives.
• Provides information and referral services for organization patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs.
• Provides information, referrals and serves as a liaison between patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care.
• Maintains and develops contracts with public and private agencies as resources for patient and personnel.
• Participates in the development of the individualized plan of care, involving the patient and family, and attends regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings, assisting the team in recognizing the effects of the psychosocial stresses on the symptoms of the terminal illness.
• Assists physician and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.
• Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
• Assist family and patient in planning for funeral arrangements, financial, legal, and health care decision responsibilities.
• Participate in annual in-services.
• Participates in on call rotation and 7-day watch rotation.
• Other duties as assigned by Clinical Supervisor.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
• Prefer two (2) years of recent medical and or hospice experience.
• Demonstrate good communication, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrates autonomy along with the ability to work in a team. Organizational skills, assertiveness, flexibility and cooperation in performing job responsibilities.
• Demonstrates expertise in end-of-life issues and knowledge of the multifaceted impact of life limiting illness on patients/ families including issues of grief and loss.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of federal, state and community resources.
• Ability to assess and respond to need of the patient/ family in highly emotional and stressful situations.
• Requires reliable transportation, current driver’s license and current auto insurance.
• Must be able to drive at dawn or dusk.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Medical specialties:

• Hospice & Palliative Medicine

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Hospice Social Work: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: On the road