After Hours Social Worker

VIA Health Partners is an industry leader and top-10 nationally ranked provider of end-of-life care.  More importantly we are proud to be a community based, not for profit hospice & palliative care provider.  We have deep community roots, with decades of experience serving ALL patients’ and families’ needs regardless of their ability to pay or their medical complexity. We are a people first organization whose funds go to serve our mission.

Due to our significant growth, we are looking for amazing new staff who share these same values. Apply now and be a part of our success story.

We provide excellent benefits including:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental plans through BCBS
• 28 days of Paid Time Off
• Excellent mileage reimbursement rate 
• 403b Retirement plan with matching
• Focused programs honoring Veteran patients
• Assistance with achieving Certified Hospice & Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
• Best Orientation and Onboarding program you’ve experienced
• Seasoned Hospice leaders guiding your career growth

Essential Functions

This is a newly created position operating in an after -hours role supporting clinical care within a 24/7/365 hospice care environment. The ideal candidate will be able to work at least three 8 or 12 hour shifts per week and may cover nights, weekends, swing shifts, etc. with flexibility regarding preferred schedule.

• Delivery of Patient Care
  • Conducts psychosocial assessments of patients/caregivers and families to identify emotional, social, and environmental strengths and problems related to their diagnosis, illness, treatment, and life situation.
  • Develops, implements, and evaluates plans of care for patients/caregivers and families. Incorporates therapeutic, preventive, and other clinical social work practices that specifically address patient/caregiver and family needs for counseling and education while maintaining the dignity of the dying patient.  Specifically addresses patient’s and caregiver’s need for resource and referral services and advocacy.  Updates plan of care as goals and objectives are achieved or changed.
  • Supports patient/family’s individual spiritual/cultural beliefs by assessing cultural issues, developing culturally sensitive care plans, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in provision of culturally sensitive care.
  • If not an LCSW, consults with and involves a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Social Work Preceptor in cases that require clinical social interventions or support beyond their expertise or scope of practice.
  • Documents assessments, care plans, interactions, and interventions according to regulatory and agency standards.
  • Participates in and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary group (IDG) and other VIA departments in achieving patient care goals.
  • Provides education on hospice philosophy and services, advance care planning, and other issues related to end of life care.
  • Conducts family meetings.
  • Collaborates with long term care community staff and other IDG members to determine the patient’s level of care and coordinate the appropriate utilization of services.
  • Initiates referral process for volunteers, chaplains, and grief services. Continues to reassess supportive service needs and interventions.
  • Maintains working knowledge of community agencies and resources, assessing and referring patient/family to appropriate resources.
  • Manages time, caseload, and technology.

• Assumes responsibility for the effective and professional delivery of health services.
  • Schedules visits in advance based on prioritized judgment of case load needs.
  • Prepares for visits, anticipates care needs, reviews plan of care and patient information, and obtains needed materials and educational resources for patients/caregiver.
  • Makes visits to provide needed care. Follows established plan of care, evaluates patient/caregiver responses to determine progress toward goals, and revises plan of care as necessary.
  • Provides interventions consistent with the plan of care and performs all interventions required for each visit. Identifies new problems or needs when they occur.
  • When appropriate given the plan of care, facilitates transfers of patients to other settings including respite, skilled nursing facilities or other hospices.
  • Facilitates patient and caregiver independence to the extent possible.
  • Facilitates transition from active patient/caregiver status to grief care services after the death of a patient.
  • Plans workday to respond to priorities as well as to minimize travel time.         
• Ensures accurate, complete, and timely clinical documentation in accordance with VIA guidelines.
  • Keeps clinical records current by completing and synchronizing electronic medical records throughout the day. 
  • Completes and submits all clinical documentation per VIA clinical documentation guidelines.
  • Records time/mileage report logs accurately.  Submits activity logs in accordance with VIA policy.
• Assumes responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with interdisciplinary teams and interdepartmental staff.
• Attends and participates in meetings as assigned.
• Participates actively in the process of improvement.
• Maintains open lines of communication with Supervisor.  Keeps Supervisor appraised of any complex patient/caregiver issues.
• Assumes responsibility for related duties as required or assigned.
  • Ensures that VIA professional reputation is maintained and projected.
  • Assumes responsibility for professional development and staying abreast of current trends in the social work field.  Incorporates new information and methods into practice. 
  • Maintains current professional licensure in NC as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and in SC as a Licensed Independent Social Worker – Clinical Practice (LISW-CP), as applicable.

May perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required if working as a BSW.
• Master’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution if working as MSW. Medical social work or hospice experience preferred.
• Be licensed as a Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) or a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by the NC Social Work Certification and Licensure Board and SC Board of Social Work Examiners, Licensed Independent Social Worker – Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) and remain in good standing with the licensing board.
• Computer proficiency is required