SOCIAL WORKER MSW - HOSPICE

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The primary purpose of the medical social worker is to provide psychosocial services to patients and families under the direction of a physician and in consultation with the interdisciplinary team.  These services may include home visits, telephone calls, written information and such therapeutic interventions as physical presence, active listening, therapeutic touch, values clarification, problem and goal identification, long range planning and decision making, life review, short term therapy, crisis counseling and referrals to community services.  Social work services must be based on the patient’s psychosocial assessment and the patient’s and family’s needs and acceptance of these services.

RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS     

• Assesses the patient/family social and emotional factors in order to identify the patient’s and family’s psychosocial needs and estimate their potential to cope with terminal illness and death
• Assesses and enhances the responsiveness of the environment and connects the patient, family   and caregiver with community resources as needed
• Provides psychosocial counseling and support to the patient/family experiencing emotional, social, and/or economic conflict
• Assists patient/family and staff in utilizing community resources
• Assesses patient/family financial and insurance status and assists with appropriate resources as needed
• Assesses and refers for ongoing bereavement services
• Documents problems, psychosocial assessment, appropriate goals, care provided, interventions  and patient, family and caregiver response to each intervention
• Maintains the dignity of the dying patient
• Assesses and supports the patient’s unique spiritual and cultural beliefs
• Provides holistic family-centered care across treatment settings to improve the quality of life
• Participates in interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings to establish, review and revise the plan of care for each patient, including exchange of information review of problems, and sharing of professional support
• Identifies comfort care needs in collaboration with other members of the IDT
• Supports, instructs and educates the patient, family and caregiver
• Helps to coordinate all patient and family services
• Displays a positive and professional image and attitude in all relationships with patients, families, peers and in the community
• Participates in the Quality Assessment Performance Improvement (QAPI) program
• Demonstrates flexibility in meeting the needs of the program and responds positively to changes in workflow
• Promotes teamwork by demonstrating willingness to assist others in meeting the needs of all individuals and collaborating effectively with the interdisciplinary team and other departments throughout the organization
• Complies with agency infection control and safety policies
• Completes annual competency requirements
• Consistently communicates requests, suggestions, concerns or problems to the appropriate personnel
• Consistently completes assigned responsibilities in required time frame and accepts additional duties and responsibilities as requested by Unit Director
• Consistently maintains a professional appearance
• Protects patient health information according to the HIPPA rule and related Aultman policies
• Coordinates the discharge planning process
• Participates in the hospice program’s quality assessment/performance improvement process
• Participates in regular social work supervisory meetings
• Creates and fosters a work environment that is consistent with the Mission, Vision and Values of the Aultman Health Foundation.
• Supports strategic organizational goals.
• Abides by the Aultman Code of Conduct at all times.

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principle functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent to this position.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; Baccalaureate degree in social work from a school accredited with the Council for Social Work Education, or a baccalaureate degree in psychology, sociology or other field related to social work and is supervised by an MSW
• One (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting
• Current LSW or LISW from State of Ohio Counselor and Social Work Board
• Current BLS certification
• Valid Ohio Driver’s License
• Must have own transportation and provide proof of current liability insurance
• Basic computer skills

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Hours of operation with shifts as assigned including occasional overtime, on-call or off-shifts (evenings and/or weekends) scheduled as necessary.
• Lunch and break periods must be coordinated with other staff members to maintain adequate staffing during hospice hours of operation.
• Subject to frequent interruptions and changes in priority of duties throughout the day.
• May be required to travel in inclement weather
• Subject to emergency and other crisis situations
• Hazardous Exposure Category 2
• Sitting/standing/moving about during working hours (see attached Physical Requirements Addendum for details)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS ADDENDUM

PURPOSE:  To identify specific functions job requirements and work environment factors that could affect job performance.

Check all factors that are present as essential job requirements and check whether the factor is performed.

O = Occasionally = 0- 33% of the work shift or   0- 32   repetitions.

F = Frequently = 34-66% of the work shift or 32-200 repetitions.             

C = Constantly = 67-100% of the work shift or 200 repetitions.

N = Not essential job requirement.

C             Standing

C             Walking

O             Lifting (70 pounds)

O             Carrying (70 pounds)

O             Pushing (70 pounds)

N             Climbing with (70 pounds)

O             Stooping/Bending

O           Twisting/Turning

O             Kneeling/Squatting

O             Crawling

O             Reaching Up/Reaching Forward

Additional information concerning physical requirements for the position:

Performing patient care responsibilities as required