Lead Social Worker, MSW

3HC Home Health and Hospice
Lead Social Worker

Summary:

The Lead Social Worker, MSW will oversee and ensure compliance of social work according to regulatory guidelines. The position will act as a resource for the other MSWs and BSWs making home health and hospice visits. The individual will supervise all Home Side Social Workers.

Qualification Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work is desired
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a hospice or palliative care setting is desired
• Knowledge of Medicare, CHAP and licensure regulations for Home Health and Hospice preferred

Abides by and supports 3HC's Compliance Program and Code of Ethics. 3HC's Compliance motto is "Compliance for all and all for Compliance". It is the intent of 3HC to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and that spirit is embedded in all aspects of our services and business practices. Our success hinges on doing things ethically and legally, to which, each and every employee plays a critical role.

2. Creates positive experiences for internal and external customers that will meet their expectations. (External customers include our patients, families, referral sources, vendors, the community, etc. Internal customers are the people within the agency with whom you work.) Displays a high degree of courtesy, tact, and knowledge of services provided by the agency in all contact with staff, patients, and visitors.

3. Responsible for the overall management of agency social work services: offers patients and family members of different philosophies and religious beliefs opportunities to discuss and share their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and values.

4. Manages assigned cases and assists office with achieving positive patient outcomes: (a) provides social work care as outlined in the physician’s plan of treatment, according to 3HC’s policies and procedures and as allowed by the institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; (b) consults with the attending physician concerning alteration of the plan of treatment and documents, in writing, appropriate changes of orders where necessary, (c) involves the patient/family in plan of care and addresses patient/family questions and issues, (d) evaluates patient/family response to intervention(s) when referred to community agency and satisfaction of the service(s) provided and response to psychosocial interventions; (e) evaluates long-term care when appropriate and assesses ability to accept change in level of care, (f) communicates psychosocial information to inpatient facility when care level changes, and (g) assesses needs for counseling related to risk assessment for pathological grief and evaluates patient/family response to psychosocial interventions.

5. Identifies obstacles to compliance and assists in understanding goals of interventions and identified patient/family needs when discharged or when level of care changes.

6. Conducts a complete assessment of the patient to identify appropriate care needs: (a) assesses caregiver’s ability to function adequately; (b) evaluates social needs of patients and families by arranging interviews, making evaluation and follow-up home visits as indicated in the plan of treatment and allowed under reimbursement guidelines and assessing the financial resources of the patient/family when appropriate in relation to medical and health needs; (c) assesses emotional factors related to terminal illness, the patient/family psychosocial status, potential for risk of suicide, abuse, and/or neglect, environmental resources and obstacles to maintain safety, and special needs related to cultural diversity including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions. Psychosocial and Pre- bereavement Assessments, to include evaluating caregiver for high risk bereavement; (d) identifies family dynamics and communication patterns, the development level of patient/family and obstacles to learning or ability to participate in case of patient, and support systems that will be ava liable to reduce stress and facilitate copying with end-of-life care; (e) ensures on- going bereavement care and updates care plan, per agency policy; (f) provides social service such as short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, assistance in providing information and preparation of advance directives, funeral planning issues and transfer of responsibility regarding fiscal, legal, and health care decision; (g) set goals related to the needs of the patient/family and (h) assists in discharge planning as directed by the home health/hospice team.

7. Assist the physician and other IDG members in recognizing and understanding the social/mental stress and/or disorder that exacerbates the symptoms related to terminal illness.

8. Participates in IDG and QCT meetings, etc. to develop and revise the plan of care and assure that the psychosocial needs of the patient and given consideration and provides consultation to team members regarding specific problem. In regards to Hospice patients, reports updates on volunteer services. Attends IDG meetings at least 75% of the time.

9. Responsible for developing, utilizing and maintaining relationships with appropriate community resources, and assesses patient/family ability to access them by making referrals and finding alternatives to home health care when indicated.

10. Assists with Performance Improvement projects if related to social work and/or bereavement. Will serve as on-call resource for psychosocial or bereavement issues for agency hospice patients after hours, weekends, and holidays.

11. Assists with planning and promotion of annual memorial service and ensures staff and community involvement and awareness. Assists with children's bereavement camp, WINGS!

12. Travels to other offices to meet the demand of patient needs as requested by Supervisor. May be responsible for services provided in the inpatient hospice facilities.

13. Assesses need for a volunteer: (a) notifies Volunteer Coordinator if volunteer needed; (b) works with Volunteer Coordinator to assign volunteers to Hospice patients based on patient/family needs and monitors the relationship and quality of services provided by volunteer; (c)documents findings in accordance with agency policy; (d) works with agency social workers to ensure volunteer service provided per guidelines.

14. Prepares and maintains appropriate clinical and administrative records in a prompt and comprehensive manner, documenting patient limitations/interventions and progress. Timely records all assessment and evaluation data, treatments and patient's response. Completes paperwork within 24 hours of visit and communicates daily. Responds to e-mail requests for documentation correction/completion within 48 hours.

15. Maintains knowledge of State, Medicare, and CHAP regulations pertaining to area of responsibility.

16. Ensures 3HC can bill for services appropriately: (a) completes certifications and re-certifications within designated timeframes; and (b) keeps up-to- date on reimbursement criteria and documentation requirements for all patients under his/her care and management, including preauthorization and re-authorization for insurance. Stays abreast of overall patient care and improves social work skills.

17. Oversees the Butterfly Wings Foundation Program and encourages Social Workers to utilize this benefit for 2 patients annually.

18. Supervises agency Social Workers: (a) reviews assessments and care plans on a regular basis; (b) remains available for case conference and other supervisory activities as needed; (c) consults with attending physician on patient needs and assists with developing an adequate plan of care for the patient; (d) maintains documentation which demonstrates oversight of the care provided by all social workers; (e) assists with orientation of new staff as needed, and (f) completes annual Social Work competencies with other agency Social Workers 100% in home visits.

19. Maintains regular communication with supervisor: (a) keep supervisor informed of problems and progress in the department; (b) communicates problems of the patient(s) on a timely basis following chain of command; (c) utilizes current process and technology available to 3HC, and (d) collaborates with supervisor to meet assigned productivity standard and communicates Laptop twice a day. Communicates with supervisor regularly to ensure updated on status of job duties and facilitate reporting of positive and negative issues related to job performance. Keeps supervisor informed of problems and progress.

20. Participates in team meetings and office staff meetings, patient care conferences, Clinical Record Review audits, Hospice QAPI meeting, and in-services; Attends agency mandatory in-services and satisfies CEU requirements as applicable; strives to improve social work care through continuing education, active participation in professional and related organizations and individual research and readings.

21. Demonstrates an interest in personal and professional growth for self and staff: (a) attends and participates in workshops, seminars, webcasts to keep abreast of current changes in rules, regulations, relating to job functions and department; (b) does individual reading and research; and (c) recommends educational opportunities for staff and encourages participation.

22. Demonstrates a willingness to be cost effective in the use of agency resources, the monitoring of waste, and the proper and safe use of supplies and equipment.

23. Adheres to 3HC's Personnel Policy and performs other appropriate duties as assigned by supervisor to promote the successful operations and future growth of 3HC

3HC is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex or sexual orientation, age, marital status, gender identity, national veteran or disability status.