Medical Social Worker - Hospice

Description

The Medical Social Worker provides social services to terminally ill patients and their families within a medically approved plan of care. Assists patients and families with managing problems or needs related to their psychosocial functioning and bereavement.

• May work with both the adult hospice team and the pediatric hospice team.

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Accountability:

Reports to the Lead MSW

FLSA: Exempt

Requirements

Essential Job Functions:

1. Fosters and maintains an effective working relationship between co-workers, patients, and other professional members of the community
2. Follows an individualized Plan of Care established by the interdisciplinary team for each patient 
3. Assesses emotional factors related to terminal illness and loss
4. Assists the interdisciplinary team members in recognizing and understanding the social/mental stress and/or disorder that exacerbates the symptoms related to terminal illness
5. Immediately reports any changes to the RN Case Manager and interdisciplinary team
6. Assesses environmental resources and obstacles to maintaining patient safety
7. Identifies family dynamics and communication patterns
8. Involves the patient and family in the care planning process
9. Identifies and utilizes appropriate community resources and assesses patient/family ability to access them
10. Assists with community education by participating in in-service programs
11. Evaluates patient/family response to psychosocial interventions
12. Assesses caregiver’s ability to function adequately
13. Assesses the need for counseling related to risk assessment for pathological grief
14. Assesses special needs related to cultural diversity including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions
15. Provides crisis intervention related to patient’s terminal illness and needs for care including reducing or eliminating high risks indicators endangering the patient’s physical, mental, and /or emotional health, and /or management of the terminal illness
16. Identifies the developmental level of patient/family and obstacles to learning or ability to participate in the care of the patient
17. Addresses patient/family questions and issues within scope of practice
18. Identifies obstacles to compliance and assists in understanding goals of interventions
19. Identifies support systems available to reduce stress and facilitate coping with end-of-life care
20. Evaluates for long-term care when appropriate and assesses ability of the patient/family to be accepting of the change in level of care
21. Communicates psychosocial information to inpatient facilities when the level of care is changed
22. Assists patient/family in assessing financial resources, when appropriate
23. Identifies patient/family needs when discharged or when level of care changes
24. Evaluates patient/family response to interventions provided when referred to outside agencies and determines patient/family satisfaction of the services provided
25. Assesses pre-bereavement and bereavement needs
26. Reports unusual conditions, observations, and pertinent information to the nurse
27. Understands/provides basic principles of palliative care/pain management within the Scope of Practice
28. Completes all documentation, policies and procedures in a legible and timely manner, in accordance with standard operating procedures 
29. Participates in Performance Improvement activities as requested
30. Works hand in hand with the Bereavement Coordinator/Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor and assists with the bereavement program as needed
31. Provides support in navigating through needed documentation regarding insurance, medical equipment, handicap accessibility, etc.
32. Provides social services including, but not limited to:

a. Short-term individual counseling

b. Crisis intervention

c. Assistance in providing information and preparation of advance directives

d. Funeral planning issues and transfer of responsibilities regarding fiscal, legal and health care decisions

• Other duties as assigned

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Other Duties Specific to the Position:

1. Adheres to patient rights, abuse reporting and confidentiality policies
2. Attends scheduled staff meetings and or in-service trainings
3. Adheres to the departmental dress code requirements related to personal grooming and attire
4. Demonstrates reliability by making every attempt to report to work on time, providing proper notification for absence or tardiness, participating in required meetings
5. Demonstrates ability to problem-solve and make decisions by assessing situations and considering alternatives, seeking guidance and direction as necessary, utilizing proper chain of command
6. Demonstrates effective time management skills by coordinating activities to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency, willingness to adjust or revise work schedules as requested
7. Assumes responsibility for on-going personal development and continuing education
8. Stays current with all mandatory agency and regulatory requirements
9. Pursues professional networking opportunities to stay current in the fields of social work and hospice
10. Completes assigned projects within specified time frames
11. Assists with supervision and guidance of agency social work assistants and student interns as directed

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Physical/Safety Requirements:

1. Must have the strength and endurance required for standing, walking, lifting, bending, and pushing on a consistent basis up to 30 lbs
2. Uses appropriate body mechanics for social worker duties as identified in the scope of practice
3. This position is Category 2 for potential exposure to blood/body fluids. (Does not usually require the performance of procedures or other tasks in the work routine that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, but Category 2 tasks may require the unexpected performance of these procedures)
4. Utilizes appropriate PPE as needed
5. Follows the designated plan of action in the event of a fire or other emergency
6. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, work- related stresses, and driving hazards
7. This individual may be required to drive to meetings with clients, health care professionals, or patients’ homes
8. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to meet the work environmental and physical demands listed above.

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Qualifications and Experience:

1. Must be currently licensed as a Social Worker by the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers
2. Preferred candidate possesses 1 year of experience as a medical social worker in hospice, home health or geriatric care
3. Successful completion of a background check pursuant to NRS 449.188 and NRS 179A.100 along with a pre-employment drug screen and physical, TB testing, previous employment and reference checking, and an MVR (may include verification of education)
4. Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
5. Must be able to handle frequent interruptions
6. Must be able to cope with emotionally charged situations encompassing patients, families, and other caregivers
7. Must maintain current CPR/BLS
8. Must have reliable transportation, have a valid driver’s license, and current auto insurance

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BENEFITS:

Paid Time Off

NV Paid Leave

Paid Holidays

Uniforms

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Referral Bonuses

Matching 401k

Company Discount Program

Ancillary Insurance Policies