Social Worker - Licensed PRN (Bilingual)

Job Summary:  

The Licensed Social Worker in a hospice setting is responsible for providing comprehensive psychosocial support to patients and their families, ensuring they receive the necessary emotional, social, and practical resources throughout the end-of-life journey. This role involves assessing patient and family needs, developing care plans, and coordinating with the hospice care team to deliver holistic care.                                    

Essential Functions:  

• Conduct initial and ongoing psychosocial assessments of patients and families.
• Provide emotional support, counseling, and crisis intervention as needed.
• Assist patients and families in understanding and coping with the emotional, social, and practical aspects of terminal illness.

• Develop and implement individualized care plans based on psychosocial assessments.
• Collaborate with the hospice interdisciplinary team (physicians, nurses, chaplains, volunteers) to ensure coordinated care.
• Participate in regular team meetings to discuss patient care and update care plans as necessary.

• Identify and connect patients and families with community resources, support groups, and services such as financial assistance, legal aid, and bereavement support.
• Assist with advance care planning, including the completion of advance directives and other legal documents.

• Advocate for the needs and wishes of patients and families within the hospice team and with external agencies.
• Ensure that patients’ rights and dignity are maintained throughout the care process.
• Provide bereavement counseling and support to family members before and after the patient’s death.
• Facilitate support groups and educational sessions on grief and loss.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all patient interactions and interventions in accordance with hospice policies and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations related to social work and hospice care.

Additional Responsibilities:  

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
• Adheres to specific State Association for Home Care Code of Ethics.
• Conforms to all applicable Agency policies and procedures.
• Participates actively in continuing education and in-services.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information and business trade practices.
• Assumes the care of the patient, optimizing his/her comfort and dignity, when appropriate.
• Possesses adequate knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid and insurance standards to ensure reimbursement for all services rendered.

 Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:  

• Organizational skills

• Ability to supervise in accordance with Hospice’s policies and applicable laws.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Time management
• Cooperative attitude
• Ability to handle emotionally charged situation with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Advanced interpersonal communication (written and verbal)
• Basic math skills related to patient care.
• Knowledge of end-of-life issues, grief and bereavement
• Competence in crisis intervention and counseling.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Appropriate computer skills

Age-Related Competencies: 

Demonstrates the basic knowledge and skills necessary to identify age specific patient needs appropriate for this position.                           

Information Management:

Treats all information and data within the scope of the position with appropriate confidentiality and security.         

Risk Management:

• Cooperates fully in all risk management activities and investigations.   
• Keeps abreast in changes in health care law.
• Maintains Agency/program compliance with local, state and federal laws.

Minimum Position Qualifications:             

• Education: Master’s or doctoral degree in Social Work from an accredited institution
  
• Experience: 1 year social work experience in hospice, palliative care, or a related healthcare setting is preferred.
  
• License / Certification: Current and valid state licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or equivalent. Driver’s license and proof of current auto liability insurance; no listing on the OIG Excluded Provider Listing.

 Environmental Conditions:

Works in patient's home in various conditions, possible exposure to blood and body fluids and infectious diseases. Ability to work flexible schedule, ability to travel locally, some exposure to unpleasant weather. Moderate noise level; Category C BBP risk; moderate stress and emotional demands.

Physical Requirements:      

Requires working under some stressful conditions to meet deadlines, to identify patient needs, to make quick decisions and resource acquisition; meet patient/family psychosocial needs.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.