What are the responsibilities and job description for the Hospice MSW Per Diem position at Visiting Nurse and Hospice for VT & NH?
Position Summary:
The Medical Social Worker provides medical social services under the direction of a physician. Utilizing their advanced educational background and clinical expertise, the Medical Social Worker provides a wide range of services to terminally-ill patients and families while consistently exercising judgment and discretion to determine the patient and family’s unique spiritual/ cultural beliefs, strengths, coping skills, and pre-bereavement and anticipatory grief needs. Assessment is ongoing and the plan of care reflects the Medical Social Worker’s analysis of and conclusions regarding unique psycho-social needs of the patient/ family. The Medical Social Worker advocates for services and support on behalf of the patient and family.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):
- Provides holistic family-centered care across treatment settings through assessment and identification of the psycho-social needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
- Assesses and strengthens the coping skills of the patient and family/caregiver and refers family and caregivers for bereavement services as appropriate.
- Assesses and enhances the appropriateness and safety of the environment, demonstrates detailed knowledge of community resources and connects the patient and family/caregiver as needed.
- Leads discussions about end of life decision making and assists with completion of legal documents for advanced care planning, aid applications, and other documents as required; files per agency procedure and applicable laws and regulations.
- Provides interventions for management of emotional symptoms (e.g., fear, grief, depression, anger).
- Supports the patient’s and family/caregiver’s spiritual and cultural beliefs.
- Consults and collaborates with the hospice interdisciplinary team in the development of the plan of care and to maintain the dignity of the dying patient.
- Documents problems, psycho-social assessment, goals, care and interventions provided, and patient and family/caregiver response to each intervention.
- Reports abuse and neglect in accordance with state laws and regulations as well as the hospice’s policy and procedures.
- Assists with funeral arrangements based on patient and family/caregiver need and preferences; and coordinates the discharge planning process.
- Provides mentoring and clinical supervision of social work team members as required by educational preparation and regulatory requirements.
- Supports community education efforts related to hospice care, the bereavement program and other activities in the community.
- Facilitates bereavement support as needed and in accordance with the bereaved plan of care.
Minimum Qualifications
|
Education/Certifications: |
Master’s in Social Work from school accredited or approved by the Council on Social Work and Education |
|
Licensure: |
None required |
|
Experience: |
Three years of experience in supervised health care setting managing complex psycho-social and spiritual cases One year of end of life care giving |
|
Skills/Abilities: |
Excellent written and oral communication skills Communicates consistently in an effective, compassionate and culturally appropriate manner Demonstrated ability to execute a supportive and sensitive approach to meet patient/family needs Motivated to work with the dying and bereaved Flexible, open to new ideas and program changes Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team Must meet essential requirements for direct service staff provide services, attend training and meetings |
