(LSW) Social Worker Hospice Home Care

VITAS Healthcare•Lombard, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

VITAS Healthcare, a leading end-of-life care provider since 1978, is seeking a compassionate Social Worker to provide emotional and logistical support to patients and their loved ones during a vulnerable time. This role ensures patients can reach the end of life with their affairs in order, honoring their wishes, and helps families navigate the grieving process. The social worker will make a meaningful difference by granting end-of-life wishes, listening to patients' stories, and providing support wherever patients call home, whether a private residence or an assisted living/skilled nursing facility. Approximately once a week, the social worker will meet with the interdisciplinary team at the office, which includes RNs, physicians, chaplains, and fellow nurses, to provide comprehensive support.

Requirements

Masters of Social Work required from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, unless grandfathered in per the 2008 Medicare Hospice Condition of Participation.
At least one year of social work experience in a health care setting.
Social work license.
Reliable transportation.
Thorough knowledge of community resources or the desire/ability to obtain this knowledge.
Knowledge of key psychosocial issues prevalent with terminally ill patients and their family/caregivers, including the knowledge of effective psychosocial interventions to address those issues.
Capacity to relate and work well with others as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
Excellent listening and communication skills.
Ability to be an effective patient and family advocate- both within the patient/family unit, within the core IDG, and within community agencies and the like.
Minimum State Requirements for the following states: AL:Licensed Bachelors of Social Work (LBSW), CA: BSW cannot be used as the core SW, CT: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), DC: Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), DE: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), FL: BSW, GA: Licensed Master Social Worker, IL: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), MO: Baccalaureate Social Worker (BSW), NJ: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), OH: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), PA: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), TX: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), VA: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), WI: Social Worker Certificate.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a social worker with the terminally ill and their families, preferred.
Experience in providing counseling and support to patients and families.
Empathy and compassion in dealing with seriously ill patients and their families.
Equivalent experience of licensure may be considered where allowable by State Regulations. (i.e. a BSW in FL or WI)

Responsibilities

Provide emotional and psychological support to patients and families.
Offer counseling and crisis intervention services.
Provide bereavement support and grief counseling.
Educate patients and families on the emotional and psychological response to the illness progression.
Ensure VITAS patients reach the end of life with their affairs in order, honoring their wishes for finances, funeral arrangements, and more.
Help loved ones navigate the grieving process.
Grant end-of-life wishes.
Listen to a patient’s stories at their bedside.