Licensed Hospice Social Worker (MSW)

PruittHealth•Decatur, GA

About The Position

The Licensed Hospice Social Worker provides social work services tailored to the individual needs of hospice patients and their families, as identified by the interdisciplinary group and psychosocial assessment. The role provides psychosocial and supportive services to minimize stress and challenges associated with terminal illness, related conditions, and the dying process. The social worker assesses and addresses patient and family psychosocial needs, provides counseling and crisis intervention, helps patients and families access financial and community resources, and supports coping with terminal illness, approaching death, grief, and loss. The role contributes to care planning, coordinates care under the direction of the Director of Health Services, documents services, and participates in discharge planning and ongoing education. It also includes volunteer recruitment and supervision, staff consultation and training, and supervision or advice for assigned BSW-level or baccalaureate-degree social work personnel. The position serves Henry, Newton, Rockdale, and South Fulton Counties. A Georgia social work license is required. A Master’s Degree in Social Work is required, and one year of experience is preferred. A current driver’s license and automobile liability insurance are also required.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW).
Current social work licensure in Georgia; maintain current licensure and good standing with the state licensing board and provide copies of current licenses for personnel records.
Current driver’s license and automobile liability insurance.
One year of experience preferred.
Attend and participate in continuing education to remain current in the field and maintain required license or certification.
Maintain timely, regular attendance and punctuality.
Communicate professionally and warmly with patients, families, visitors, and staff; respond to concerns and answer questions appropriately.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience.
Ability to work a flexible schedule.
Orientation and other training needed to perform assigned duties effectively.

Responsibilities

Provide professional counseling and assess psychosocial and financial needs, including explaining Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance benefits to prospective patients and families when necessary.
Complete psychosocial histories and assessments of patient and family needs according to policies and procedures.
Provide crisis intervention and suicide assessment.
Participate with the interdisciplinary team in developing and updating plans of care.
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 on coping with the approaching death of the patient.
Document all 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 on 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 as social workers.
Use appropriate community resources and participate in discharge planning and ongoing in-service education.
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, grief, and burial planning.
Use social work interventions including assessment, counseling, education, community-resource referral, and crisis intervention.
Continually reassess patient and family psychosocial needs, including bereavement risk, and maintain individualized care plans.
Identify and attempt to resolve ethical situations arising in hospice care, seeking leadership assistance as needed.
Participate in agency surveys and required follow-up reports, continuing education, and mandatory in-services.
Honor patient and resident rights and comply with the corporate compliance program.
Report occupational hazards and follow safety, fire prevention, smoking, infection-control, and equipment procedures.
Perform other related duties as directed by the supervisor or Administrator.