Hospice Social Worker - Full-Time

Ecumen•Duluth, MN

About The Position

The Hospice Social Worker provides direct social work services and psychosocial and environmental support to hospice patients, their families, and caregivers who need identified social work services. The role supports Ecumen’s Hospice Duluth and North Branch teams and includes local travel. The position is full-time at 64 hours bi-weekly, with a flexible weekday schedule stated as 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; no weekends or holidays are required. The position is described as exempt/salary, with a targeted pay range of $33.00–$38.00 per hour. Ecumen describes itself as an advocate for older adults, providing housing choices, compassionate healthcare, and innovative services. It has cared for people for 160 years and is Minnesota’s eighth-largest senior living provider. Its mission is to serve older adults and create a place where everyone belongs.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work.
Licensed Graduate Social Worker in good standing in Minnesota.
Two or more years of social work experience in a health care setting.
Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and satisfactory motor vehicle record.
Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal formats.
Ability to follow facility safety rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, including policies and requirements concerning vulnerable adults and abuse, HIPAA, residents’ rights, universal precautions, AWAIR, OSHA, Right to Know, SDS, ADA, HUD, and fair housing laws and regulations.

Nice To Haves

LISW or LICSW license.
Previous experience working with seniors.

Responsibilities

Perform initial and ongoing assessments of the psychosocial status of terminally ill patients and their families or caregivers in relation to the patient’s condition and environment.
Provide community resources, short-term anticipatory grief counseling, emotional support, and end-of-life education to patients and families or caregivers.
Assess family and caregiver bereavement risk and provide appropriate resources and interventions.
Monitor and assess family dynamics, caregiver ability to provide safe and effective care, communication patterns, backup planning for alternative living situations, and safety concerns including neglect or abuse; develop interventions based on findings as warranted.
Participate in developing individualized plans of care, involving the patient and family in the plan.
Attend regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings and help the team recognize the effects of psychosocial stressors.
Maintain clinical records for all patients referred to social work.
Assist patients and families or caregivers with funeral planning and provide resources for financial, legal, and health care decision responsibilities.
Facilitate care conferences with the hospice team and family to support communication and understanding of hospice philosophy and services and the dying process.
Provide bereavement follow-up according to agency protocol.
Assist with coordination of Mosaic Moments, nursing home or residential hospice placement, respite stays, and travel contracts as needed.