Hospice Medical Social Worker

The Elizabeth Hospice • San Diego, TX

59d • $70,000 - $80,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As a member of the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG), the Medical Social Worker assesses the psychosocial impact of terminal illness on patients and their family or caregiver system. The MSW provides support, guidance, and preparation as patients and families cope with disease progression, death, and grief. Visits are primarily conducted in patients’ homes, facilities, and the community, with care coordinated among family members, caregivers, and the IDG.

The Elizabeth Hospice is a nonprofit hospice serving San Diego County and south Riverside County from multiple office locations. The position is based in South San Diego and requires travel for patient visits. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with two to three on-call shifts per month. The stated annual salary range is $70,000–$80,000, subject to experience and qualifications.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work.
• At least one year of social work experience in a healthcare setting.
• Current CPR certification.
• Current negative TB skin test.
• Excellent written and verbal skills and English language proficiency.
• Clerical skills, including answering phones, scheduling appointments, researching, and interviewing.
• Computer skills related to email, scheduling, and data entry.
• Current California driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.
• Ability to drive in varying conditions, including winding or steep roads, at night, and in rural areas, and to enter homes with pets.

Nice To Haves

• Current ACSW or LCSW.
• Bilingual Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess psychosocial needs using clinical interviewing, behavioral observation, and knowledge of psychosocial dynamics; develop and timely document biopsychosocial assessments.
• Provide evidence-based psychosocial interventions, including crisis intervention, emotional support, case management, coping support, help with complex family dynamics, psychoeducation, non-pharmacological quality-of-life interventions, anticipatory grief counseling, goals-of-care discussions, family meetings, community referrals, legacy building, facility placements, discharge planning, and assistance with advance directives and funeral planning.
• Develop measurable, patient-centered care-plan goals with patients, families, and caregivers, and adapt them to changing needs.
• Continuously reassess patients and families, communicate changes to the team, document changes, and update plans of care with patient, family, and caregiver input.
• Provide anticipatory and grief counseling; educate families about signs of approaching death and options for care of the body; identify and support cultural and spiritual practices related to death; and support families and caregivers at the time of death and afterward.
• Participate and collaborate as an IDG member to create comprehensive patient-centered plans of care; present psychosocial assessments and family dynamics at IDG meetings; and communicate across teams and departments.
• Maintain clear, complete, concise, organized, and timely patient documentation using point-of-care electronic charting.
• Develop self-awareness regarding countertransference, compassion fatigue, burnout, vicarious trauma, and moral distress; seek supervision as needed; practice self-care; and maintain professional boundaries.
• Explain the Medicare Hospice benefit to patients, families, caregivers, facility staff, and the community.
• Protect patient confidentiality through professional staff communications.
• Research, use, and monitor community resources as needed.
• Provide on-call and/or weekend social work coverage.
• Contribute to agency procedures and policies.
• Participate in training and mentoring new social work staff.
• Offer in-service presentations to community agencies and prepare teaching materials for patients, professional staff, and bereaved clients concerning hospice care and treatment.
• Carry out The Elizabeth Hospice’s mission, values, and quality commitment, and adhere to E-way standards.
• Schedule appointments, answer phones, and conduct research and interviews as needed.
• Drive to field visits in varying conditions, including winding or steep roads, at night, and in rural areas, and enter homes with pets.

Benefits

• Benefits package with multiple plan offerings and generous employer contribution.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Supportive work culture that encourages work-life balance.
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and a floating holiday.
• Employee development program and in-house education department supporting individualized orientation and professional growth.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Monthly mileage reimbursement.
• Employee referral program.
• Competitive hospice industry compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level