Hospice IDG Social Worker, Full-time

Job Summary This•Raleigh, NC

About The Position

This full-time position provides social work services to an assigned patient caseload, facilitates patient admissions and initial psychosocial assessments, and makes visits across Transitions service lines as directed by the Team Leader. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with an on-call rotation and a commitment to work one major or two minor holidays per year. The Social Worker assesses the psychosocial needs and strengths of patients and families; develops and implements culturally sensitive, comprehensive psychosocial plans of care; documents assessments and interventions; and helps patients and families understand hospice care, illness, treatment, and available resources. The role participates in interdisciplinary group (IDG) care teams, supports admissions and care coordination, collaborates with internal departments and facility staff, and contributes to performance improvement and employee orientation. The position also maintains knowledge of applicable regulations, reimbursement sources, community resources, and developments in social work and health care.

Requirements

Master of Social Work from an accredited university.
At least one year of experience in a health-related field; experience may include a social work internship in a health care-related organization.
LCSW required within three years of date of hire.
Knowledge of reimbursement sources, Medicare regulations, licensing laws, and accreditation standards.
Strong commitment to agency-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion improvement efforts.
Competent computer skills.
Reliable transportation.
Ability to travel to, enter, and function in patients’ homes and facilities throughout the service area to assess and provide care.
May be required to lift and/or carry items weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to complete physical assessments, communicate with patients, families, care providers, and physicians, and complete required reporting and follow-up documentation.
Availability for work hours and days, including weekend and holiday commitments, as outlined in the Employee Information Agreement.

Responsibilities

Conduct psychosocial assessments of patients and families to identify emotional, social, cultural, financial, and environmental strengths and concerns related to diagnosis, illness, treatment, and life situation.
Assess cultural issues, support patients’ and families’ spiritual and cultural beliefs, develop culturally sensitive care plans, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team in providing culturally sensitive care.
Develop and implement comprehensive psychosocial plans of care using appropriate clinical social work interventions while maintaining patient dignity.
Document assessments, care plans, interactions, and interventions in accordance with regulatory and agency standards for the applicable service lines.
Track patient payer sources and assist the finance department in collecting accurate insurance information, including facilitating financial screening for self-pay patients.
Educate patients, families, and referral sources about levels of hospice care, hospice philosophy, and hospice services.
Maintain working knowledge of Conditions of Participation and other regulatory requirements applicable to assigned service lines.
Collaborate with IDG and other Transitions LifeCare departments to achieve patient care goals.
Participate in IDG care teams and represent the clinical social work perspective as a liaison with patients and families.
Admit patients to hospice in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory standards and Conditions of Participation.
Educate patients and families about adapting to diagnosis, illness, treatment, and life circumstances.
Collaborate with facility staff and IDG members to determine patient level of care and coordinate appropriate use of contract services.
Identify clinical or operational performance improvement opportunities and participate in performance improvement activities.
Participate in orientation and training of new employees across disciplines.
Keep current with social work and health care developments and increase job-related knowledge.
Maintain knowledge of community agencies and resources and refer patients and families to appropriate resources.
Professionally manage time, people, and technology.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Demonstrate compassion, respect, teamwork, professionalism, and dedication in interactions with coworkers, customers, and partners.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, and guidelines; provide care in accordance with applicable ACHC Standards and Medicare Conditions of Participation; and comply with relevant laws, regulations, and professional standards.
Promptly communicate concerns, issues, or potential risks to a supervisor or member of the management team.