Social Worker
: Job Details :

Gainesville, FL 32606This position, as a member of the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG), provides medical social services and support to patients and their families. The social worker will provide all psychosocial interventions and referrals, assessments, supportive counseling, networking, and resource procurement. Job duties are performed with awareness and respective of the patients developmental stage, patient rights, and patient and family personal, cultural, and spiritual beliefs, according to specific program guidelines. Contributes to the smooth functioning of services, attends IDG meetings and advocates for patient/family needs with the team and community at large. Primary Responsibilities: Asses patient/family needs regarding psychosocial history including assessing emotional factors related to terminal illness, psychosocial needs, including risk factors such as mental health, suicidal and homicidal ideation, substance abuse, bereavement risk, and offers recommendations accordingly. Visits patients in various settings, to include but not be limited to: hospice inpatient units, private homes, long term care or assisted living facilities, group homes, shelters, or other locations where services to patients/families may need to occur. Assessing and assists with advanced directives, funeral and memorial planning, assessment of care situation, and the provision of more complicated case management. Assesses for financial needs or barriers, and facilitates referrals as needed to internal and external resources. Provides patient/family education as appropriate and within the scope of practice Identifies and utilizes appropriate community resources and assesses patient/family/caregiver ability to access them. Evaluates patient/family/caregiver response to intervention(s) when referred to community agency and the satisfaction of the services(s) provided. Provides clinical therapeutic services to patients and families such as, but not limited to: (a) Short-term individual counseling (loss, anticipatory grief and bereavement, coping, transition) to patient and/or family, (b) goals of care discussions, (c) crisis intervention, and (d) assistance in addressing/supporting decision-making, ensuring the best interest and rights of the patient Collaborates with ancillary therapeutic services, including but not limited to Child Life services and Music Therapy Evaluates, intervenes, and supports the patient/family/caregivers throughout life transitions, regardless of disease trajectory and location on the continuum of the condition. Participate in IDG meetings as a contributing member of the team in ongoing communication, coordination, and continuity of the patient and family care/service needs from the psychosocial perspective, including the development and revision of the patients POC. Assist the physician and other team members in recognizing and understanding the social/mental stress and/or disorder that exacerbates the symptoms related to terminal illness. Identify family dynamics and communication patterns; assess for special needs related to cultural diversity including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions. Identify the developmental level of patient/family and obstacles to learning or ability to participate in care of patient; assesses caregivers ability to function. Identify obstacles to compliance and assist in patient/family/caregiver understanding of goals and interventions; address patient/family/caregiver questions and issues. Educate and evaluate patient/family understanding and acceptance to change in program/level of care; communicate psychosocial information to include goals of care to new care providers, to include hospital or Community Hospice inpatient facility when transfer to a different care setting. May attend patient funeral/memorial services as able and appropriate. Ensure timely completion of all discipline-specific and organizational documentation according to Community Hospice policies and procedures. Participate in sharing information with other professionals through participation in organizations such as NASW. Participates in the organization on call schedule as needed Other duties as assigned. Education & Experience: Masters Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work and three (3) years direct service experience. Experience in supportive counseling in group and individual settings, and/or direct service with clients and their families in health care setting. Experience in provision of case management services. Principles, practices and methods of psychosocial services interventions, case management, individual assessment, and counseling techniques including but not limited to grief, loss and bereavement Verbal and written communication, assessment, supportive counseling, working within framework of interdisciplinary team, computer skills. Required Licenses & Certifications: Current State of Florida drivers license with driving record acceptable to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida insurance carrier, and reliable transportation. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.