What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker - Ravalli County position at Big Sky Palliative and Hospice?
JOB DESCRIPTION :
The Social Worker is a member of the disciplinary team, participating in the providing agency, supportive services to terminally ill patients and their families. The Social Worker is responsible for consultation to other agency personnel and for direct services to terminally ill patients and their families. The Social Worker coordinates bereavement services to families and provides support and counseling as appropriate. The Hospice Social Worker is directly responsible to the Director of Nursing.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS
A. Professional and Clinical Services
1. Assists in explaining the Hospice program to the patient / family when necessary.
2. Assess patient and family psychosocial response to terminal illness and evaluate patient / family coping skills.
3. Conducts patient / family financial assessment and arranges or refers to appropriate resources as indicated.
4. Collaborates with team members to plan, implement, and update the plan of care.
5. Provides counseling services to the patients of Hospice and their families, as
defined by the interdisciplinary care plan.
6. Assists team members in understanding the significant social and emotional
factors related to the care of the terminally ill patient and the family.
7. Assists patient, family, and agency staff in utilizing community resources.
8. Participates as appropriate, in the orientation, training, and support of Hospice volunteers.
9. Attends inpatient discharge rounds, when appropriated, to help arrange discharge planning for Hospice patients.
10. Assists in discharge from Hospice services at request of Director of Nursing.
11. Provides counseling, as appropriate, to families before or after a death has
occurred.
12. Keeps accurate, up to date records to be included in the medical record for each patient.
13. Provides education and material to Hospice staff, volunteers, and community on topics related to Hospice care.
B. Supervisory
1. Supervises bereavement team services.
2. Oversees the bereavement volunteer training program.
3. Organizes and facilitates ongoing bereavement support groups, as needed.
4. Assist in researching and developing new programs and services needed by
Hospice.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Master or Bachelors of Social Work Degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council of Social Worker Education required.
2. Two years of experience in medical social work preferred
3. Working knowledge of grief process, ethical issues.
4. Must maintain a valid drivers license
5. Must maintain valid auto insuranc
SKILLS REQUIRED
1. Interpersonal skills
2. Competent counseling skills
3. Skills in conflict resolution and crisis counseling
4. lnteragency referral skills
5. Communication skills, verbal and written
6. Capabilities for independent functioning
The employer for this position is stated in the job posting. The Pennant Group, Inc. is a holding company of independent operating subsidiaries that provide healthcare services through home health and hospice agencies and senior living communities located throughout the US. Each of these businesses is operated by a separate, independent operating subsidiary that has its own management, employees and assets. More information about The Pennant Group, Inc. is available at