Licensed Medical Social Worker for Hospice Services

CHSGa•Cartersville, GA

About The Position

Affinis Hospice is seeking a Licensed Medical Social Worker to provide medical social services to hospice patients and their families. The role assesses social, emotional, and financial needs and helps patients and families access appropriate resources. Working with the Interdisciplinary Group, the social worker contributes to care plans, provides psychosocial support and appropriate bereavement counseling, and documents services in accordance with hospice policies. The position also supports discharge planning, staff and volunteer education, community outreach, and collaborative work across the System. The social worker is expected to work with minimal direct supervision, maintain professional relationships with patients and families, and travel between patient homes and facilities, potentially at multiple locations during a workday.

Requirements

Master’s or doctorate degree in social work from an accredited school of social work.
At least two years of experience in a healthcare setting.
Completed MSW licensure requirements and a valid license to practice in the state of Georgia.
Where applicable, registration to practice as a Medical Social Worker in the state or states in which the hospice is certified.
Ability to meet the employer’s health-clearance conditions and provide professional references.
Ability to function with minimal direct supervision while maintaining professional relationships with hospice patients and their families.
Extensive knowledge of healthcare and long-term care organizations and their structures.
Ability to plan and direct subordinate staff and prioritize workload.
Ability to communicate and present information clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, department heads, administrators, member-organization presidents and leadership teams, and the public.

Responsibilities

Assume primary responsibility for medical social services for hospice patients and families.
Assess patients’ and families’ social and emotional factors and their capacity to cope with terminal illness and death.
Assess patients’ and families’ ability to meet financial obligations, identify appropriate resources, and help activate those resources.
Evaluate patients’ insurance coverage and options.
Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Group to develop a comprehensive plan of care and goals within two days of the start of care and as needed throughout service.
Provide psychosocial support consistent with the established plan of care and under medical supervision, including bereavement counseling in situations determined to be high risk.
Document observations, interventions, evaluations, and services on the day they are rendered, and submit documentation in a timely manner.
Assist patients, families, and staff in using community resources.
Supervise counseling activity provided by Hospice Services.
Assist with discharge planning when hospice care is no longer appropriate.
Participate in Interdisciplinary Group conferences and facilitate discussion of psychosocial issues related to hospice care.
Help team members understand social and emotional factors involved in caring for terminally ill patients and their families.
Participate in hospice orientation and in-service training programs for professional staff.
Participate in the orientation, training, and coordination of hospice volunteers as appropriate.
Participate in hospice and community programs and presentations as requested to promote professional growth, understanding of hospice care, and public awareness.
Promote the System’s image and reputation through servant leadership and direct, open communication.
Contribute to committees, workgroups, project management, and other collaborative efforts.
Perform other duties as necessary to support the success of the System.
Transport self to patients’ homes and facilities, potentially across multiple locations in a workday.