Description:
Coordinate and provide medical social work services to hospice patients and families
Requirements:
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education preferred or bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology or other field related to social work.
- Two years of clinical experience preferred
- One year of social work experience in health care setting preferred
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Knowledge of and commitment to the hospice philosophy of care
- Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team
- Ability to work a flexible schedule
- Willingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age or sexual orientation. Must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness and receptiveness
TRAINING-Initial And Ongoing:
- Complete Hospice volunteer/staff training program
- Complete Hospice orientation program
- Obtain 12 hours of continuing education per year, including mandatory safety in-service
- Attend minimum of six staff meetings per year
- Attend assigned team meetings every two weeks
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist in orienting new team members, as requested
- Participate in quality improvement program
- Adhere to strict confidentiality
- Adhere to safety policy and practices
- Complete employee time record accurately per policy
- Cooperate with all government agencies and outside auditors
- Assist with updating policies and procedures, as appropriate
- Complete annual TB screening
- Assure all license, certifications, continuing education information and any other required documentation are submitted to human resources and kept current
- Maintain up-to-date documentation required and specified in Hospice policy and procedure
- Perform other duties assigned by supervisor
- Evaluate the physical, financial, psychological, spiritual, and pre-bereavement needs of the patient/family in coordination with interdisciplinary team
- Assist in assessing patient appropriateness for services
- If patient not appropriate, recommend other services available and refer to community agencies, as appropriate
- Educate the patient and family about Hospice services
- Assess the financial resources of the patient and family and instruct them on coverage for Hospice services,
i.e. Hospice Medicare/Medicaid benefit, Medicare, private insurance, as appropriate
- Discuss Hospice policy on Fee for Service when appropriate
- Access the appropriateness for support services within Hospice and, if appropriate, refer to master social worker or bereavement team
- Discuss Hospice volunteer, chaplain services, Veterans Honoring Veterans, and, if desired, refer to volunteer coordinator and/or chaplain
- Develop plan of care with goals defined by the patient/family and Hospice interdisciplinary team
- Provide social work services according to patient plan of care
- Communicate patient changes or family needs to volunteer, chaplain, massage therapist and minister, if applicable
- Assist patient/family with applications, forms, etc. for implementation of appropriate services
- Assist the physician and the interdisciplinary team (including the minister) in understanding the significant social and emotional factors related to the patient's health problems
- Help the patient/family set priorities
- Support individual coping mechanisms and facilitate constructive expression of feelings and concerns
- Evaluate the effectiveness of social work interventions on a regular basis and when changes occur in the patient/family situation
- Review and update the plan of care as changes occur in the patient's condition and as required by regulations
- Communicate with team members on an ongoing basis, apprising the primary team of any changes
- Communicate with other social workers who might provide care in the primary social worker's absence
- Rotate on-call responsibilities, as needed
- Conduct timely utilization reviews
- Participate in volunteer/staff training, as requested
- Provide support at time of death, when appropriate
- Attend funeral or receiving to provide support to family
- Serve palliative care patients, as assigned by team leader
PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Visual acuity to read written documentation and computer tasks
- Speech and hearing skills necessary for telephone interaction and face to face contact
- Ability to sit as required to perform duties
- Ability to stand, bend and lift an average of 30 pounds
- Manual dexterity with the ability to manipulate office equipment and complete written documentation
- Ability to walk, squat, kneel, climb and balance
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have an automobile with required insurance coverage and state driver's license
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