Licensed Medical Social Worker for Hospice Services

CHSGa • Cartersville, GA

7d

About The Position

Affinis Hospice is hiring a Licensed Medical Social Worker to provide medical social services to hospice patients and their families. The role assesses social, emotional, and financial needs; helps patients and families access resources; and provides psychosocial support, including bereavement counseling in identified high-risk situations. The social worker collaborates with the Interdisciplinary Group to develop and update comprehensive care plans, participates in team conferences, supports discharge planning, and documents services in accordance with hospice policies.

The position also includes supervising counseling activity, helping staff understand psychosocial factors in terminal illness, participating in staff and volunteer orientation and training, and contributing to hospice and community programs. The social worker is expected to work with minimal direct supervision, maintain professional relationships, and travel independently to patient homes or facilities, potentially across multiple locations in 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 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 and professional-reference conditions of employment.
• Ability to function with minimal direct supervision while maintaining professional relationships with hospice patients and families.
• Extensive knowledge of healthcare and long-term care organizations and their structure.
• 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 general public.

Responsibilities

• Assume primary responsibility for medical social services for hospice patients and families.
• Assess patient and family social and emotional factors and their capacity to cope with terminal illness and death.
• Assess patients' and families' ability to meet financial obligations, offer appropriate resources, and activate resources as indicated.
• 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 update it as necessary in response to changing needs.
• 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 accurately on the day services are rendered, and submit documentation promptly.
• 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 in hospice care.
• Help Interdisciplinary Group members understand social and emotional factors affecting care of terminally ill patients and their families.
• Participate in hospice orientation and in-service training for professional staff.
• Participate in 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 System efforts.
• Perform other duties as necessary to ensure the success of the System.
• Travel independently to patient homes or facilities, potentially in multiple locations during a workday.

Benefits

• The employer states that employees will be valued, recognized, and rewarded for their work.
• The employer states that employees will have a supportive team and leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time