SOCIAL WORKER / SW - HOSPICE

Our Company: Overview:

• Medical and dental benefits
• Short- and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(k) program
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Vendor discounts

Responsibilities:

• Assesses the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient's terminal illness and environment and communicates findings to the registered nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary group. Provides an assessment in the patient's identified residence and assistance when this is not safe and another plan is required.
• Carries out social evaluations, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high-risks for suicide, neglect or abuse and plans intervention based on evaluation findings. Counsels patient and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties. Provides crisis intervention when necessary.
• Assesses for, and educates interdisciplinary group, on any special needs related to the culture of the patient and family. Includes communication, role of family, space, and any special traditions or taboos.
• Maintains clinical records on all patients referred to social work.
• Educates patients and families on, and assists in, preparation of advanced directives.
• Provides information and referral services for organization patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs.
• Provides information to patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
• Serves as liaison between patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care.
• Maintains and develops contracts with public and private agencies as resources for patient and personnel.
• Participates in the development of the individualized plan of care, involving the patient and family, and attends regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings, assisting the team in recognizing the effects of the psychosocial stresses on the symptoms of the terminal illness.
• Assists physician and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional
  factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.
• Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
• Assists family and patient in planning for funeral arrangements, financial, legal, and health
  care decision responsibilities.
• Other duties as delegated by the Clinical Supervisor.

Qualifications:

• A graduate of a master’s program in social work (MSW) accredited by the Council on
  Social Work Education
  OR
  A graduate of a bachelor’s program in social work accredited by the Council on
  Social Work Education. Meets personnel qualifications stated in §418.114(b)(3).
• Minimum of one (1) years’ experience in health care, hospice experience preferred.
• Understands hospice philosophy, and issues of death/dying.
• Experience in a hospice care preferred.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
• Current licensure according to Medicare guidelines to practice in state of operation.
• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or
  organization requirements and is in good working order.

About our Line of Business: Hospice Home Care focuses on providing hospice care to local patients and their families living in Arkansas. We concentrate on managing a patient’s pain and other symptoms first and foremost, while also providing emotional and spiritual support to the family. The holistic care approach to providing hospice services by the entire care team sets Hospice Home Care apart. We believe the quality of life to be as important as length of life. Hospice Home Care offers Routine Home Care, Respite, General Inpatient Care and Continuous Care. For more information about Hospice Home Care, please visit www.hospicehomecare.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.