Hospice Medical Social Worker - Chicago

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation•Oak Brook, IL

17d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Hospice Medical Social Worker provides initial psychosocial evaluations, ongoing counseling, bereavement services, and community referrals to meet the specialized needs of terminally ill patients and their families. This role involves assessing psychosocial needs, developing and implementing social work plans of care in collaboration with the hospice interdisciplinary team, and ensuring smooth transitions between different levels of hospice care. The position also facilitates end-of-life planning discussions, participates in quality assurance processes, and works towards achieving agency and personal goals. The primary assignment area is the Chicago area, with secondary coverage in surrounding suburbs.

Requirements

Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
Social Worker license issued by the state of employment.
A valid driver’s license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Knowledge of evidence-based counseling models such as family systems, strengths-based and narrative therapy, to provide short-term counseling to patients and their families.
Understanding of family dynamics and psychosocial issues related to terminal illness.
Ability to work effectively in stressful situations and provide crisis intervention when necessary.
Ability to identify risk factors of complicated grief, suicide, neglect, and abuse.
Ability to recognize the effects of the psychosocial stresses on the symptoms of the terminal illness including trauma and PTSD.
Knowledge of issues related to anticipatory grief, death, and bereavement.
Knowledge of community resources, advanced directives, funeral planning, and facility placement.
Exceptional collaboration skills, advocacy abilities and ability to perform as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Ability to identify client needs with consideration to cultural, ethnic, religious, economic, and other diverse backgrounds.
Excellent time management, prioritizing and documentation skills.
Intermediate computer skills including EMR, presentation applications and electronic mail.
Must be able to travel to all areas within the Advocate Aurora service area in all extremes of weather on all types of roads.
Must be willing to work occasional overtime if needed.
Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

Nice To Haves

One year experience in a medical clinical setting or hospice/palliative care preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides initial psychosocial evaluations, ongoing counseling, bereavement services, and community referrals appropriate to meet the specialized needs of the terminally ill.
Responsible for the assessment of psychosocial needs of patients and families as well as development of a social work plan of care reflecting problems, interventions, and outcome goals.
Implements the plan of care in conjunction with the hospice interdisciplinary team and according to hospice specific protocols and measures.
Continually evaluates appropriate hospice level of care with the interdisciplinary group.
Assures a smooth transition between hospice levels of care: GIP, Routine, Continuous Care.
Facilitates conversations specific to end-of-life planning including goals of care, funeral arrangements, caregiving, guardianship and legacy work.
Participates in the QA/CQI process for Advocate Hospice.
Responsible for achievement of agency, department and personal goals and objectives.

Benefits

Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards
Competitive compensation
Generous retirement offerings
Programs that invest in your career development
Paid Time Off programs
Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program
$5,000 sign on bonus