Hospice Social Worker (MSW)

PruittHealth•North Wilkesboro, NC

14d

About The Position

The Hospice Social Worker provides psychosocial and supportive services based on the individual needs of patients and families, as identified by the interdisciplinary group (IDG) and psychosocial assessments. The role helps patients and families minimize stress and address problems arising during terminal illness, related conditions, and the dying process. The Social Worker coordinates care under the direction of the Director of Health Services and performs other duties assigned by the Administrator. The role includes assessing psychosocial and financial needs; counseling patients, families, and caregivers; providing crisis intervention and suicide assessment; connecting families with community resources; supporting bereavement; and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team on individualized care plans. The Social Worker documents services and progress, participates in discharge planning and education, trains and supervises volunteers, and may supervise or advise assigned BSW or baccalaureate-level staff working as social workers. The position requires a Master’s Degree in Social Work and current state licensure in good standing. A year of experience is preferred. Applicants must have a current driver’s license and automobile liability insurance. The posting also identifies flexible scheduling as a preferred qualification and notes that clinical competency assessment, background and sanctions checks, license validation, attendance, punctuality, and professional communication are part of the role’s expectations.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) required.
One year of experience preferred.
Maintain current social work licensure and remain in good standing with the state licensure board; provide copies of current licenses for personnel records.
Current driver’s license and automobile liability insurance.
Attend continuing education and mandatory in-service programs and maintain current license or certification as required.
Maintain timely, regular attendance and punctuality.
Communicate professionally and warmly with patients, residents, clients, family members, and visitors; respond helpfully to concerns and answer questions when appropriate.
Follow applicable safety, infection-control, compliance, and patient-rights requirements.

Nice To Haves

Ability to work a flexible schedule.
Orientation and any additional training needed to perform assigned duties effectively.
Positive criminal history check, Office of the Inspector General sanction check, and license validation.
Professional appearance.
A helpful, caring, approachable demeanor when interacting with patients, residents, clients, families, and visitors.

Responsibilities

Provide professional counseling and assess psychosocial and financial needs, including explaining Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance benefits when necessary.
Complete psychosocial histories and assessments of patient and family-system needs in accordance with policies and procedures.
Provide crisis intervention and suicide assessment.
Participate in developing and updating plans of care with the interdisciplinary team, and collaborate with team members.
Provide services to patients and families consistent with the plan of care.
Help patients and families cope with psychosocial changes and stresses related to terminal illness.
Locate and obtain resources supporting patients’ financial, social, and emotional well-being.
Counsel family members and caregivers about coping with the approaching death of the patient.
Document services in the medical record and prepare clinical and progress notes according to policy and procedures.
Provide bereavement services and refer families to other resources as needed.
Train hospice and nursing-home staff in patients’ and families’ psychosocial needs.
Recruit, train, and supervise hospice and home-care volunteers, including assigning volunteers to families and patients.
Help physicians and other health-care team members understand social and emotional factors related to patients’ health problems.
Supervise or advise assigned BSW or baccalaureate-degree personnel working in a social worker capacity.
Use appropriate community resources and participate in discharge planning.
Participate in ongoing in-service education and act as a consultant to agency personnel.
Coordinate care for patients and families under the direction of the Director of Health Services.
Demonstrate knowledge of hospice services, terminal illness progression, DNR and advance directives, financial resources, cultural diversity, family life cycle, grieving, and burial planning.
Use social work interventions such as assessment, counseling, education, community-resource referral, and crisis intervention.
Continually reassess psychosocial needs of patients or residents and families, including bereavement risk.
Maintain, formulate, and follow individualized care plans addressing patient, resident, and family needs.
Identify and attempt to resolve ethical situations arising during hospice care, seeking leadership assistance as needed.
Participate in agency surveys and required follow-up reports.
Attend continuing education and mandatory in-service programs; maintain current license or certification as required.
Respect patient and resident rights, including fair treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property, and civil rights.
Comply with the corporate compliance program and report job-related occupational hazards, including exposure to blood and body fluids.
Follow safety regulations and procedures, including fire prevention, smoking regulations, infection control, and equipment-related safety procedures.
Perform other related duties as directed by the supervisor or Administrator.