Hospice Social Worker

Description Iowa City Hospice is growing and looking to add a part time compassionate and experienced Medical Social Worker to join our team. We are a community-oriented, not-for-profit organization that is mission centered and offers a culture of professionalism within an interdisciplinary team. We take pride in our exceptional patient-centered hospice services provided to patients and families in their own home, regardless of disease, age, background or ability to pay. As a Hospice Social Worker, you will be responsible for providing providing emotional support, counseling, and community resources to patients and their families from time of admission until end of services; then assessing the bereavement needs of the patient’s survivors. We are seeking candidates with exceptional communication skills that provide a nice mixture of attention to detail, a love of new challenges and the type of follow through that assures stability in an ever changing work environment. - Conduct psychosocial assessments of patients and their families to identify their needs and concerns - Develop and implement care plans that address the emotional, social, and financial needs of patients and their families - Provide counseling and emotional support to patients and their families to help them cope with their medical condition - Connect patients and their families with community resources and support groups - Collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care - Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records and documentation - Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care and treatment plans If you are a dedicated and compassionate Medical Social Worker looking to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families, we encourage you to apply for this position. Essential Job Functions (including but not limited to): Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the patient including a psychosocial assessment to evaluate the patient/caregiver’s emotional, social, financial, and environmental resources and identify appropriate psychosocial problems, interventions and goals for the patient’s plan of care. Participate as a member of the Iowa City Hospice Interdisciplinary Team in the development and implementation of the patient’s plan of care. Conduct informational visits to provide patients and family members an overview of all the Iowa City Hospice services and explain consent forms that initiate care. Provide direct social work services and interventions according to the patient’s plan of care. identify the patient/caregiver’s psychosocial needs; assist the patient/caregiver with advance directives; assess and strengthening the patient/caregiver’s coping skills; assess and enhancing the responsiveness of the environment and connecting the patient/caregiver with community resources as needed. provide interventions for specific symptom relief (such as fear, grief, depression, anger, etc) screen for psychopathology and providing education and interventions accordingly; enhance the strengths of the family system; assess and refer for bereavement services; provide assistance with housing, welfare and safety issues as needed; help the patient/caregiver to access financial, legal or other services as needed; document problems, assessment finds, goals, care provided, interventions and patient/caregiver response to care; maintain the dignity of the dying patient; support the patient/caregiver’s spiritual and cultural beliefs; the interdisciplinary team and care partners; report suspected cases of abuse or neglect; assist with funeral planning as needed. Reassess the patient/caregiver needs every 15 days and, with the Interdisciplinary Team, update the patient’s plan of care. Documents all care provided in the patient’s clinical record in accordance with Iowa City Hospice’s documentation requirements. Serve as an educational source to staff, care partners and community. Adhere to the practice of confidentiality regarding patients, families, staff and the organization. Participate in Iowa City Hospice’s success by ensuring access to our exceptional care. Support and promote Iowa City Hospice’s mission to lead in providing exceptional patient-centered end-of-life care and grief support to anyone affected by a terminal illness. Participate in the organization’s quality assessment and performance improvement program. Ensure effective use of resources. Perform other duties as assigned. Requirements Qualifications: Education: Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Master’s degree in Social Work preferred. Licensure: Current Iowa LMSW, LISW, or LBSW with healthcare experience preferred. Experience: 1 year of medical social work experience in a healthcare setting preferred. Full Time Schedule Monday-Friday between 8AM-5 PM Driving: Proof of license and current insurance coverage. Knowledge of medical terminology and healthcare systems Strong communication and interpersonal skills *** Special consideration to bilingual candidates Ability to work independently and as part of a team Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care Iowa City Hospice provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.