Hospice Social Worker: PRN

Description

Join A.R.N. Hospice, Part of the Hooverwood Living Family
At A.R.N. Hospice, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, end-of-life care that prioritizes dignity, comfort, and support for our patients and their families. As part of the Hooverwood Living family, we bring over a century of excellence in senior care to our Hospice services, combining deep-rooted values with innovative approaches to meet the unique needs of every individual. We are currently seeking a passionate and dedicated Social Worker to join our team and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. 

JOB DESCRIPTION
Hospice Social Worker/Social Work Assistant

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Supervised by: Director/Manager of Patient Services/Medical Director
Positions Supervised: N/A
Interrelationships: Patients, family, IDG, and other health care team members

JOB SUMMARY:

To deliver varied social work services to Hospice patients and their families. To provide initial emotional, spiritual, psychosocial assessments, ongoing counseling, bereavement services, and community education, outreach, and referral. The Hospice social worker is an integral part of the Hospice IDG.

Essential Functions as Hospice Social Worker:

1. Performs initial psychosocial, emotional, spiritual and bereavement assessments and assists in the development and implementation of goal-directed IDG care plan.
2. Conducts ongoing reassessments of patient/family needs and counseling as required. 
3. Provides short term crisis intervention and individual or family counseling when indicated.
4. Provides services, under the direction of a physician (who approves plan of care). 
5. Participates as a member of the Bereavement Team as assigned. 
6. Observes, assesses and brings to IDG conferences information regarding psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, physical and financial conditions affecting the patient and family. 
7. Assumes the active role of advocate for the patient/family unit. 
8. Develops and maintains contact with appropriate community agencies and services in order to promote interagency cooperation and to facilitate related referrals. 
9. Documents comprehensive psychosocial, emotional and spiritual assessment clearly and concisely in a timely manner. 
10. All patient/family visits, telephone contacts and referral actions are recorded in the patient record per policy. 
11. Provides ongoing counseling related to issues of death and dying to the patient and family as needed. 
12. Attends staff meetings, IDG and other meetings as assigned and appropriate. 
13. Participates in the orientation program as assigned. 
14. Adheres to all Hospice policies. 
15. Assumes responsibility for own personal and professional development and maintenance of skills in social work. 
16. Exhibits Hospice philosophy in all job related roles. 
17. Other duties as assigned by Director/Manager of Patient Services 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Educational/Degree and Training/Licensure: 

A Hospice Social Worker must at least meet one of the following options:

1. Have an MSW degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and one year of experience in a health care setting
2. Have a baccalaureate degree in social work (BSW) from a school of social work accredited by the CSWE, and one year of experience in a health care setting and be supervised by a MSW from a school of social work accredited by the CSWE and who has one year of experience in a health care setting. If the BSW is employed by the Hospice before December 2, 2008, he/she is exempted from the MSW supervision requirement. 
3. Have a baccalaureate degree in psychology, sociology or other field related to social work, and at least one year of social work experience in a health care setting and be supervised by a MSW from a school of social work accredited by the CSWE and who has one year of experience in a health care setting. 

Knowledge, Skills, Ability, Experience:

Ability to work independently, make accurate, and at times, quick judgments. Ability to respond appropriately to crisis outside of a hospital setting. Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural and religious modes. Minimum 2 years of experience as a social worker, preferred. Active patient contact within past three years, preferred.  

JOB FACTORS: 

Physical Requirements: Requires minimal physical effort most of the day including kneeling, squatting, reaching, twisting, climbing, walking, exposure to temperature and humidity changes and minimal assist in lifting and/or transferring of a 100 pound patient. Must possess sight/hearing senses or use appropriate adaptive devices that will enable senses to function at a level required to meet the essential duties of the position. Must provide evidence of annual TB test and other state-required tests or examinations. 

Mental Requirements: Must be able to work independently, make judgments based on assessments and data available and act accordingly. Must be flexible, innovative and possess good interpersonal skills. Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress and demonstrate emotional stability. 

Working Conditions: Be able to tolerate exposure to elements including, but not limited to, odors, blood, body fluids and excrements, adverse environmental conditions and hazardous materials. 

Transportation: Must have a current valid driver's license, auto liability insurance and reliable transportation.