Social Worker - Hospice

General Purpose

The Social Worker provides comprehensive psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, and bereavement support to Hospice patients and their families. This role conducts assessments, develops and implements goal-directed plans of care, provides counseling and crisis intervention, and coordinates community resources.

As an integral member of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Group (IDG), the Social Worker ensures care aligns with hospice philosophy, regulatory standards, and individualized patient and family needs.

Essential Duties

Assessment & Care Planning

• Performs initial psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, and bereavement assessments.
• Assists in development and implementation of the goal-directed IDG plan of care.
• Conducts ongoing reassessments of patient and family needs.
• Documents comprehensive assessments clearly and timely in the medical record.

Counseling & Crisis Intervention

• Provides counseling related to death, dying, grief, and adjustment.
• Provides short-term crisis intervention as indicated.
• Responds appropriately to crisis situations outside of a hospital setting.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Participates in IDG meetings and conferences.
• Presents psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial information affecting patient and family care.
• Participates in Bereavement Team activities as assigned.
• Provides services under physician direction consistent with the approved plan of care.

Advocacy & Resource Coordination

• Serves as advocate for the patient and family unit.
• Develops and maintains relationships with community agencies and referral sources.
• Facilitates referrals and promotes interagency cooperation.

Documentation & Compliance

• Records all patient/family visits, phone contacts, and referral actions per policy.
• Adheres to all Hospice policies and regulatory standards.
• Participates in orientation and staff meetings as assigned.
• Maintains responsibility for personal and professional development.
• Demonstrates Hospice philosophy in all job-related activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director/Manager of Patient Services.

Qualification (Education and/or Experience)

A Hospice Social Worker must meet at least one of the following qualifications:

Master of Social Work (MSW) from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), with at least one (1) year of experience in a healthcare setting. Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited school, with at least one (1) year of healthcare experience, and supervised by an MSW (CSWE-accredited) with at least one (1) year of healthcare experience.

• BSWs employed prior to December 2, 2008 are exempt from the MSW supervision requirement.
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, or related field, with at least one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting, and supervised by an MSW (CSWE-accredited) with at least one (1) year of healthcare experience.

Hospice will comply with all applicable state laws regarding social work licensure and supervision. Where state requirements are more stringent, state requirements will prevail.

Hospice must employ or contract with at least one MSW to serve in the supervisory role. Supervision may occur in person, telephonically, electronically, or in combination, and will be documented.

Experience

• Minimum two (2) years of social work experience preferred.
• Active patient contact within the past three (3) years preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work independently and make sound, timely judgments.
• Ability to respond effectively to crisis situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Acceptance of and adaptability to diverse social, racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
• Emotional stability and ability to cope with stress inherent in hospice care.

Transportation

• Valid driver’s license.
• Reliable transportation.
• Current auto liability insurance.

Physical Demands

• Minimal to moderate physical activity including kneeling, squatting, reaching, twisting, climbing, and walking.
• Exposure to changes in temperature and humidity.
• May assist with lifting or transferring patients (up to approximately 100 pounds with assistance).
• Must possess adequate vision and hearing, with or without adaptive devices, to perform essential job functions.
• Must provide documentation of annual TB testing and any other state-required health screenings.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.