Social Worker

The Social Worker is responsible for the delivery of varied social work services to the Hospice patient and family in accordance with the physician’s orders. The purpose of this position is to provide direct casework services, bereavement services, community education, outreach, referral, and to offer insight to the agency staff to help them better understand the significant social and emotional factors concerning the patient. This position reports directly to the Director of Social Services.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a college accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
• Valid Social Worker license as applicable to the state of operation requirements. 
• Demonstrated ability in casework, community education, including one (1) years social work experience in a hospital, hospice agency, out-patient clinic, home health agency, medical rehabilitation, medical care, or mental health program.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Valid Driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Report significant social and emotional factors related to the patient’s health problem and terminal condition to the physician and other members of the health team.
• Support the comprehensive initial psychosocial and bereavement evaluations (completed by the DSS) and assists in the development and implementation of goal-directed patient/family care plan under the direction of the DSS.
• Support ongoing reassessments of patient/family needs, working under the direction of the DSS. 
• Assist patients and their families with personal and environmental difficulties, which predispose toward illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from medical care.
• Support short-term crisis intervention under the direction of the DSS
• Participate as a member of the Bereavement Team as assigned.
• Observe, and bring to team conferences information regarding psychosocial, spiritual, physical, and financial conditions affecting the patient and family.
• Assume the active role of advocate for the patient/family unit.
• Develop and maintain contact with appropriate community agencies and services in order to promote interagency cooperation and to facilitate related referrals.
• Document comprehensive psychosocial information clearly and concisely in a timely manner under the direction of the DSS. All documentation will be reviewed and co-signed by the DSS.
• Initial contact information is recorded within 24 hours.
• All patient/family visits, telephone contacts and referral actions are recorded in the Medical Record within a period of 24 hours.
• Participate in Social Services department programs as assigned by department director (i.e., Bereavement Support, Volunteer Training and additional new programs).
• Attend staff meetings, IDT Team, and other meetings as assigned and appropriate.
• Assume responsibility for own personal and professional development and maintenance of the state of the art skills in social work.
• Participate in the new employee orientation program as assigned.
• Exhibit Hospice Philosophy in all job related roles.
• Participate in the Continuous Quality Improvement Program as assigned and maintains current knowledge and practice of Universal Precautions.
• Support nursing home admission coordination.
• Educate patients/family regarding eligibility criteria for Medicaid, and assists them to access the program.
• Visit patients/caregivers/family members providing necessary services.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

• Accompany Nursing staff on patient consultations as needed.
• Respond to patient and family needs, which may be after hours or on weekends.
• Performs related duties as assigned or required.

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