What are the responsibilities and job description for the Master of Social Work position at Lutheran Senior Services?
Summary
The medical social worker is responsible for providing the necessary social services assistance for the patient and their family. Upholds the philosophy, core values and goals of the organization and ensures that the Christian Mission of Lutheran Senior Services is realized - “Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest”.
Responsibilities
1. Assesses need for counseling related to risk assessment for pathological grief.
2. Assesses emotional factors related to terminal illness. Assesses caregiver’s ability to function adequately. Assesses special needs related to cultural diversity including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions. Evaluates patient/family response to psychosocial interventions.
3. Assists the physician and other IDT/IDG members in recognizing and understanding the social/mental stress and/or disorder that exacerbates the symptoms related to terminal illness.
4. Assesses the patient/family psychosocial status, potential for risk of suicide and/or abuse or neglect. Identifies family dynamics and communication patterns.
5. Participates in the development and revision of the plan of care and provides all care according to physician orders. Involves the patient/family in the plan of care. Assesses environmental resources and obstacles to maintaining safety.
6. Provides social services including short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, assistance in providing information and preparation of advance directives and funeral planning issues, and transfer of responsibilities regarding fiscal, legal and health care decisions.
7. Utilizes the medical record software system via laptop or agency desktop for patient documentation. Initiates documentation in the patient’s home on the laptop and completes after the visit.
8. Prepares clinical and progress notes. Submits notes according to agency policy.
9. Identifies and utilizes appropriate community resources and assesses patient/family ability to access them.
10. Educates patients and families related to social service issues, including long-term placement, financial issues, and funeral planning.
11. Identifies support systems available to reduce stress and facilitate coping with end-of-life care.
12. Evaluates for long-term care when appropriate and assesses ability to accept change in level of care. Communicates psychosocial information to inpatient facility when level of care is changed.
13. Identifies patient/family needs when discharged or when level of care changes.
14. Serves as liaison between patients or families and community agencies.
15. Participates in discharge planning.
16. Participates in Interdisciplinary Care Team Meetings and assists in developing and reviewing care plans, admissions and discharges.
17. Provides educational programs to staff and community.
18. Assesses bereavement needs.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
MSW from an accredited school of Social Work
A current license in the state of practice (if required), with one-year social work experience in a health care setting. Prefer experience with the Medicare hospice program and participation in community agency activities.
Must demonstrate basic knowledge of all procedures included in the social worker job description.
Must have the ability to follow instructions from the physician, nursing supervisor and other professional staff.
Ability to communicate effectively with managers, patients, families and co-workers.
Must be able to assess safety of home situations for self, patients, and other staff members, including physical and psychological dangers.
Must have the ability to effectively cope with patients, families and all others with varying backgrounds, socioeconomic conditions, and value judgments.
Must have computer and excellent communication skills. Maintains confidentiality of information relating to the patient and family. Will discuss only those aspects necessary to the care and treatment of patient and family with those directly involved in the patient’s care.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Must be able to complete all physical demands of the assignment. Have corrected vision and hearing within normal range and have manual dexterity with normal range of motion of all extremities. Must have the ability to maintain objectivity in coping with the stress of working with acute, chronic and terminally ill patients, data entry into EMR system and read normal typewritten print.
The physical activities and demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk to hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and taste or smell.
The working conditions include:
A well lighted and ventilated working area.
Appropriate ergonomic and personal safety equipment is provided if needed.
Minimal exposure to chemicals and hazardous waste.
Noise level in work environment is usually quiet.
Travels out in the community that allows for exposure to weather conditions and potential for unsafe environments.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and standards. Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and standards.
Additional Information:
N/A
The medical social worker is responsible for providing the necessary social services assistance for the patient and their family. Upholds the philosophy, core values and goals of the organization and ensures that the Christian Mission of Lutheran Senior Services is realized - “Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest”.
Responsibilities
1. Assesses need for counseling related to risk assessment for pathological grief.
2. Assesses emotional factors related to terminal illness. Assesses caregiver’s ability to function adequately. Assesses special needs related to cultural diversity including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions. Evaluates patient/family response to psychosocial interventions.
3. Assists the physician and other IDT/IDG members in recognizing and understanding the social/mental stress and/or disorder that exacerbates the symptoms related to terminal illness.
4. Assesses the patient/family psychosocial status, potential for risk of suicide and/or abuse or neglect. Identifies family dynamics and communication patterns.
5. Participates in the development and revision of the plan of care and provides all care according to physician orders. Involves the patient/family in the plan of care. Assesses environmental resources and obstacles to maintaining safety.
6. Provides social services including short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, assistance in providing information and preparation of advance directives and funeral planning issues, and transfer of responsibilities regarding fiscal, legal and health care decisions.
7. Utilizes the medical record software system via laptop or agency desktop for patient documentation. Initiates documentation in the patient’s home on the laptop and completes after the visit.
8. Prepares clinical and progress notes. Submits notes according to agency policy.
9. Identifies and utilizes appropriate community resources and assesses patient/family ability to access them.
10. Educates patients and families related to social service issues, including long-term placement, financial issues, and funeral planning.
11. Identifies support systems available to reduce stress and facilitate coping with end-of-life care.
12. Evaluates for long-term care when appropriate and assesses ability to accept change in level of care. Communicates psychosocial information to inpatient facility when level of care is changed.
13. Identifies patient/family needs when discharged or when level of care changes.
14. Serves as liaison between patients or families and community agencies.
15. Participates in discharge planning.
16. Participates in Interdisciplinary Care Team Meetings and assists in developing and reviewing care plans, admissions and discharges.
17. Provides educational programs to staff and community.
18. Assesses bereavement needs.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
MSW from an accredited school of Social Work
A current license in the state of practice (if required), with one-year social work experience in a health care setting. Prefer experience with the Medicare hospice program and participation in community agency activities.
Must demonstrate basic knowledge of all procedures included in the social worker job description.
Must have the ability to follow instructions from the physician, nursing supervisor and other professional staff.
Ability to communicate effectively with managers, patients, families and co-workers.
Must be able to assess safety of home situations for self, patients, and other staff members, including physical and psychological dangers.
Must have the ability to effectively cope with patients, families and all others with varying backgrounds, socioeconomic conditions, and value judgments.
Must have computer and excellent communication skills. Maintains confidentiality of information relating to the patient and family. Will discuss only those aspects necessary to the care and treatment of patient and family with those directly involved in the patient’s care.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Must be able to complete all physical demands of the assignment. Have corrected vision and hearing within normal range and have manual dexterity with normal range of motion of all extremities. Must have the ability to maintain objectivity in coping with the stress of working with acute, chronic and terminally ill patients, data entry into EMR system and read normal typewritten print.
The physical activities and demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk to hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and taste or smell.
The working conditions include:
A well lighted and ventilated working area.
Appropriate ergonomic and personal safety equipment is provided if needed.
Minimal exposure to chemicals and hazardous waste.
Noise level in work environment is usually quiet.
Travels out in the community that allows for exposure to weather conditions and potential for unsafe environments.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and standards. Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and standards.
Additional Information:
N/A
