What are the responsibilities and job description for the Hospice Medical Social Worker position at Westminster-Canterbury of Lynchburg Inc?
Description
Westminster at Home is seeking a Social Worker to join our team. This position would be PRN as needed.
The Hospice Medical Social Worker is responsible for the implementation of professional standards of care for medical social work hospice services. Also is responsible to plan, implement, and maintain a bereavement program to meet the needs of families/caregivers from Senior Independence Hospice for thirteen months following the death of the individual hospice patient.
Is knowledgeable of and supports the philosophy, purpose, and goals and policies of Senior Independence and consistently complies with the Hospice Client Bill of Rights.
- Assess the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient's terminal illness and environment. Provide an assessment in the patient's identified residence and assistance when this is not safe and another plan is required.
- Carries out social evaluations and plans intervention based on evaluation findings. Counsels’ patient and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, bereavement, and other identified coping difficulties. May receive request for social work consultation anytime day or night via telephone or in person visit.
- Collaborate with other disciplines, suggest and/or process internal or external referrals in order to meet the comprehensive needs of the clients.
- Coordinates the assessment and delivery of grief counseling needs and services (one-to-one, groups, and ongoing follow-up) to ensure timely and appropriate services are provided to family/caregivers.
- Maintains clinical records on all patients referred to Social Work.
- Provides information and referral services for organization patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs. Provides information to patients and families/caregivers and community agencies. Serves as liaison between patients and families/caregivers and community agencies. Provides bereavement information and referral services to callers from the community. Expands and maintains community resource list as needed.
- Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care. Participates in the development of the plan of care and attends case conferences weekly. Assists physician and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.
Requirements
- Current Social Work license in State
- A graduate of a Master’s program in social work (MSW) accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, with one year experience preferred.
- Experience in Hospice preferred.
- Minimum of two years experience in health care, home health or hospice experience. Understands hospice philosophy, and issues of death/dying.
- Knowledge of medical terms, terminology desirable.
- Have basic computer literacy with experience using Windows-based programs preferred
Westminster Canterbury of Lynchburg is committed to best practices for infection control; therefore, we will require all team members to receive the influenza and recommend COVID-19 vaccines.
