Medical Social Worker

Job Description Summary

The Medical Social Worker is responsible for the implementation and providing of Medical Social work services to the patients and families of Heartlinks Hospice. The hospice MSW is an integral part of the hospice team. This position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

1. Assesses the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient's terminal illness and environment and communicates findings to the registered nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary group. Provides an assessment in the patient's identified residence and assistance when this is not safe and another plan is required.
   
2. Carries out social evaluations and plans intervention based on evaluation findings. Counsels patient and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties.
   
3. Maintains clinical records on all patients referred to social work.
   
4. Provides information and referral services for organization patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs.
   
5. Provides information to patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
   
6. Serves as liaison between patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
   
7. Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care.
   
8. Maintains and develops contracts with public and private agencies as resources for patient and personnel.
   
9. Participates in the development of the individualized plan of care and attends regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings.
   
10. Assists physician and other team members in understanding significant social and emotion­al factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.
    
11. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
    
12. Other duties as delegated by the clinical leadership team.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Position Qualifications:

1. Must possess a Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited school. 
2. Minimum of one year's experience in health care, hospice experience preferred. Understands hospice philosophy, and issues of death/dying.
   
3. Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
4. Possesses and maintains current CPR Certification.
   
5. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or organization requirements and is in good working order. 

Benefits

• Full time employees accrue up to 168 hours of PTO annually, in addition to accruing sick time at the rate of 1 hour for every 40 hours worked. Bereavement and jury duty leave also available. 
• Option to enroll in medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Heartlinks pays for 100% of the employee's medical premiums, and 75% of the employee's dental and vision premium. Health benefits begin the first of the month after start date. 
• Miles driven for work are reimbursed at 62.5 cents per mile.
• Holiday pay for 6 observed holidays.
• Ability to enroll in 401(k) and begin contributing at time of hire. Heartlinks will match dollar for dollar up to 5% of earnings after one year of employment and 1080 hours worked. 
• Tuition reimbursement/professional development assistance.
• Premium pay for hospice related certifications.
• Hourly wage dependent on hospice and supervisory experience.