Social Worker (Home Health & Hospice)

Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay • Virginia Beach, VA

3d

About The Position

The Social Worker (Home Health & Hospice) supports patients and their families throughout the end-of-life journey by assessing psychosocial, emotional, and environmental needs and identifying resources and support systems that promote comfort, safety, and coping during terminal illness. The position provides counseling, crisis intervention, bereavement support, and short-term emotional support, and delivers medical social services in accordance with established care plans.

The Social Worker assesses suicide risk, abuse or neglect concerns, and barriers to maintaining a safe home environment, coordinating appropriate interventions and community resources. In collaboration with physicians and the interdisciplinary care team, the Social Worker identifies social and mental health stressors that may exacerbate symptoms related to terminal illness and contributes to developing and revising each patient's individualized plan of care. The role is expected to demonstrate the organization's values of Respect, Passion, and Professionalism and promote accountability.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
• At least 1 year of social work experience in a healthcare setting.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft and Google applications.
• Valid state driver's license, a motor vehicle driving record satisfactory to WCBay and its insurance providers, and proof of motor vehicle insurance.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and perform responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Ability to address internal and external inquiries.
• Ability to supervise and train coworkers.
• Ability to exercise discretion and work independently.

Nice To Haves

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
• At least 2 years of medical social work experience, including 1 year dedicated to hospice or home health services.
• Experience in advance care planning, crisis intervention, and psychosocial advocacy for individuals facing life-limiting conditions.
• Ability to maintain a valid state social work license suitable for the required level of clinical practice.
• Hold or be prepared to pursue specialty certification in hospice and palliative care social work, such as APHSW-C or CHP-SW.
• Strong aptitude for interdisciplinary collaboration and navigating community-based resources or long-term care systems.

Responsibilities

• Assist with information and preparation of advance directives, funeral planning issues, and transfer of responsibilities regarding fiscal, legal, and health care decisions.
• Prepare clinical and progress notes and identify and manage family dynamics and communication patterns.
• Include the patient and family in the plan of care.
• Identify and use appropriate community resources and assess the patient and family's ability to access them.
• Evaluate patient and family responses to psychosocial interventions.
• Assess caregivers' ability to function adequately and determine counseling needs related to risk assessment for pathological grief.
• Assess special needs related to cultural diversity, including communication, space, family-member roles, and traditions.
• Identify the developmental level of the patient and family and obstacles to learning or participating in patient care.
• Identify obstacles to compliance and help patients and families understand intervention goals.
• Identify support systems that can reduce stress and facilitate coping with end-of-life care.
• Evaluate long-term care needs when appropriate and assess ability to accept a change in level of care.
• Communicate psychosocial information to inpatient facilities when the level of care changes.
• Assist patients and families in assessing financial resources when appropriate.
• Identify patient and family needs at discharge or when the level of care changes.
• Evaluate patient and family responses to interventions following referral to a community agency and assess satisfaction with the services provided.
• Assess and coordinate bereavement needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, available day one.
• Life and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid time off and 6 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays.
• Tuition assistance and scholarships for employees and their families.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Legal and identity theft protection plans.
• Team member discounts.
• Career growth and leadership development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level