Social Worker

QUALIFICATIONS:

A Social Worker who has at least a bachelor's degree in social work or related field from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Master degree preferred. A current license in the state of practice (if required), with one year social work experience in a health care setting. Prefer experience with the Medicare hospice program and participation in community agency activities.

REPORT TO: Branch Manager

KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY:

Must demonstrate basic knowledge of all procedures included in the Social Worker job description. Must have the ability to follow instructions from the physician, nursing supervisor and other professional staff. Ability to communicate effectively with managers, patients, families and co-workers. Must be able to assess safety of home situations for self, patients, and other staff members, including physical and psychological dangers. Must have the ability to effectively cope with patients, families and all others with varying backgrounds, socioeconomic conditions, and value judgments. Maintains confidentiality of information relating to the patient and family. Will discuss only those aspects necessary to the care and treatment of patient and family with those directly involved in the patient's care.

JOB DUTIES:(includes but not limited to the following)

• Assesses emotional factors related to terminal illness. Assesses caregiver's ability to function adequately. Assesses special needs related to cultural diversity including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions. Evaluates patient/family response to psychosocial interventions.
• Assists the physician and other IDT/IDG members in recognizing and understanding the social/mental stress and/or disorder that exacerbates the symptoms related to terminal illness.
• Assesses the patient/family psychosocial status, potential for risk of suicide and/or abuse or neglect. Identifies family dynamics and communication patterns.
• Participates in the development and revision of the plan of care and provides all care according to physician orders. Involves the patient/family in the plan of care. Assesses environmental resources and obstacles to maintaining safety.
• Provides social services including short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, assistance in providing information and preparation of advance directives and funeral planning issues, and transfer of responsibilities regarding fiscal, legal and health care decisions.
• Prepares clinical and progress notes. Submits notes according to agency policy.
• Identifies and utilizes appropriate community resources and assesses patient/family ability to access them.
• Educates patients and families related to social service issues, including long term placement, financial issues, and funeral planning.
• Identifies support systems available to reduce stress and facilitate coping with end-of-life care.
• Evaluates for long-term care when appropriate and assesses ability to accept change in level of care. Communicates psychosocial information to inpatient facility when level of care is changed.
• Identifies patient/family needs when discharged or when level of care changes.
• Assesses bereavement needs. Assesses need for counseling related to risk assessment for pathological grief.
• Serves as liaison between patients or families and community agencies.
• Participates in discharge planning.
• Participates in Interdisciplinary Care Team Meetings and assists in developing and reviewing care plans, admissions and discharges.
• Attends in-services and staff meetings as required.
• Provides educational programs to staff and community.
• Master's prepared Social Worker provides Social Work oversite for the branch.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to complete all physical demands of the assignment. Have corrected vision and hearing within normal range and have manual dexterity with normal range of motion of all extremities. Must have the ability to maintain objectivity in coping with the stress of working with acute, chronic and terminally ill patients.