Hospice Social Worker

Compassus•Lancaster, PA

About The Position

The Hospice Social Worker models Compassus values and promotes its philosophy, using the 6 Pillars of Success as a foundation. The role upholds the Code of Ethical Conduct and promotes positive working relationships within the company and with external stakeholders. The Hospice Social Worker provides preventive, educational, evaluative, and treatment services to address the psychosocial needs of patients and families and help them improve, restore, and maintain their coping abilities. The role uses community resources and the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to support this work. The position participates in interdisciplinary care planning, provides psychosocial support and counseling, conducts assessments, coordinates care, and assists patients and families with resources and advance planning. It may also involve facilitating long-term care placement and participating in facility care planning meetings. The role requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and at least one year of healthcare experience, subject to the stated alternative consideration for candidates with a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field where an MSW is available to supervise. State licensure is required where applicable.

Requirements

Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program and at least one year of healthcare experience.
Candidates with a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field and one year of healthcare experience may be considered at locations where an MSW is available to supervise.
Hold state licensure as required and applicable in the state of practice.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including calculations involving rates, ratios, and percentages.
Ability to read and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; present information and respond to questions; and communicate strongly in writing and verbally.
Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English.
Ability to articulate and embrace hospice philosophy.

Responsibilities

Explain hospice services and Medicare benefits to patients and families, and obtain Informed Consent and Election of Benefits documents as requested.
Submit appropriate documentation and paperwork to facilities after patient visits, completing and submitting it on time according to company policy.
Participate as a member of the IDT, including developing and implementing the plan of care.
Provide psychosocial support and counseling to patients and families, and support involvement of external counseling resources in accordance with patient and family needs and scope of practice.
Help identify the need for intervention by other IDT members.
Communicate patient and family needs effectively to the IDT.
Collaborate with the IDT to coordinate psychosocial care and support and ensure appropriate, continuous, quality care.
Maintain updated, comprehensive care plans reflecting patients’ current problems, goals, and interventions.
Respect families’ environments and belief systems and remain nondiscriminatory regarding personal characteristics and matters.
Complete initial and ongoing psychosocial assessments, identifying and addressing concerns related to finances, insurance, living arrangements or long-term care placement, caregiver stress, pre-bereavement and anticipatory grief, and community resources.
Facilitate long-term care placement when warranted and monitor adjustment.
Participate in care planning meetings at long-term care facilities.
Support and facilitate advance planning, including living wills and POA documents, funeral arrangements, memorial services, and body or organ donation.
Perform other duties as assigned.