Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) - Hospice

Lifecare Home Health Family•Dalton, GA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Master Social Worker provides and supervises hospice medical social services under the direction of a physician. Services are based on patients’ psychosocial assessments and the needs of patients and families. The role supports and supervises Medical Social Workers in delivering high-quality care consistent with standards of practice, and may also provide direct medical social services. The Master of Social Work participates in coordination of care with the Interdisciplinary Group/Team (IDG/T), attends team meetings, and participates in an on-call rotation as needed. This position reports to the Hospice Administrator. The role includes supervising Medical Social Workers in line with their training and experience, the complexity of patient care, and collaboration with the IDG/T. The Master of Social Work must be available while social services are being provided and hold documented conferences with Medical Social Workers about patient care, with conference frequency determined according to accepted standards of practice. The position assesses patients and completes the Comprehensive Assessment within five days of hospice election, identifying patient and family psychosocial, financial, environmental, and community needs. Services may include advance-directive assistance, funeral and discharge planning, family counseling, care-level changes when indicated, and counseling about end-of-life issues, death, and grief. The role also supports care planning and coordination, timely documentation, infection-control practices, hospice quality improvement activities, and professional development. The position requires reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and auto liability insurance. Work takes place in patient homes and may involve varied conditions, local travel, unpleasant weather, exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and infectious diseases, flexible scheduling, and PRN emergency calls. Physical demands include prolonged standing and walking, lifting up to 50 pounds, moving patients, and working under stressful conditions while meeting deadlines and patient needs. The role also requires communication, listening, decision-making, reasoning, manual dexterity, and the ability to use a tablet and Electronic Health Record.

Requirements

Graduate of a Medical Social Work degree program as a Licensed Medical Social Worker.
Graduate of a Master program.
Adhere to state regulations where practicing, including Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council Standards.
Evidence of passing the Texas Jurisprudence Exam.
Current driver’s license.
Working knowledge of community resources.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to work with computers.
Reliable transportation and valid auto liability insurance.
Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel locally, including to patient homes and office/support center locations as needed.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and move patients; prolonged standing and walking are required.
Ability to communicate and exchange information effectively with patients, families, physicians, coworkers, and visitors.
Ability to hear sounds and listen attentively, understand others’ points, and ask questions appropriately.
Ability to make independent judgments and decisions and use logic and reasoning to evaluate alternatives.
Ability to view a tablet and Electronic Health Record and review, assess, record, or type data quickly and accurately.
Ability to work under stressful conditions, meet deadlines and patient needs, make quick decisions, and acquire resources.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in palliative care or hospice is preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise Medical Social Workers based on their training and experience, patient-care complexity, and collaboration with the IDG/T.
Be readily available when social services are being provided.
Hold documented conferences with Medical Social Workers regarding patient care and determine conference frequency according to accepted standards of practice.
Assess patients and complete the Comprehensive Assessment within five days of hospice election, identifying psychosocial, financial, environmental, and community needs.
Assist with advance directives, funeral planning, discharge planning, family counseling, and changes in level of care when indicated by patient or family needs.
Provide patient and family/caregiver counseling about end-of-life issues, death, and grief.
Attend IDG/Team meetings and participate in patient-care planning and coordination with the IDG/T.
Promote respect for patients and their privacy and property.
Provide services using infection-control measures in accordance with OSHA practices.
Submit all required paperwork in a timely manner.
Participate in hospice-sponsored in-service programs and maintain or improve competency.
Participate in the Hospice’s QAPI program.
Promote the Hospice’s philosophy and administrative policies.
Perform assigned on-call responsibilities and provide on-call services to patients and families.
Meet productivity standards and communicate effectively with patients, families, team members, and other healthcare professionals.
Maintain a working knowledge of public and private eligibility standards and requirements.
Meet mandatory continuing education requirements of the Hospice and licensing board.