Social Worker

Overview

To deliver varied social work services to Hospice patients and their families. To provide initial emotional, spiritual, psychosocial assessments, ongoing counseling, bereavement services and community education, outreach and referral. The Hospice social worker is an integral part of the Hospice IDG.

Reporting Relationship

Supervised by:     Administrator/DON
Positions Supervised:     N/A
Interrelationships:     Patients, family, IDG, and other healthcare team members

Qualifications

The social worker shall be an individual who holds a current, valid license as a social worker (LMSW) issued by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LSBSWE), has a master’s degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, and who meets the following:

a. has at least one year of health care experience;
b. has documented clinical experience appropriate to the counseling and case work needs of the terminally ill.
c. Shall be an employee of the hospice, and
d. When the social worker is employed by one or more agencies, he/she shall inform all employees and cooperate and coordinate duties to assure the highest performance and of quality when providing services to the patient.

Minimum 2 years of experience as a social worker, preferred. Active patient contact within past three years, preferred. 

Knowledge/Skills/Ability

Ability to work independently, make accurate, and at times, quick judgments. Ability to respond appropriately to crisis outside of a hospital setting. Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural and religious modes.

Job Factors

Physical Requirements

Requires minimal physical effort most of the day including kneeling, squatting, reaching, twisting, climbing, walking, exposure to temperature and humidity changes and minimal assist in lifting and/or transferring of a 20 pound patient. Must possess sight/hearing senses or use appropriate adaptive devices that will enable senses to function at a level required to meet the essential duties of the position. Must provide evidence of annual TB test, COVID vaccine and other state-required tests or exams. 

Mental Requirements

Must be able to work independently, make judgments based on assessments and data available and act accordingly. Must be flexible, innovative and possess good interpersonal skills. Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress and demonstrate emotional stability.

Working Conditions

Be able to tolerate exposure to elements including, but not limited to, odors, blood, body fluids and excrements, adverse environmental conditions and hazardous materials.

Transportation

Must have a current valid driver’s license, auto liability insurance and reliable transportation.

Essential Functions

1. Performs initial psychosocial, emotional, spiritual and bereavement assessments and assists in the development and implementation of goaldirected IDG care plan.
2. Conducts ongoing reassessments of patient/family needs and counseling as required.
3. Provides short term crisis intervention and individual or family counseling when indicated.
4. Provides services, under the direction of a physician (who approves plan of care).
5. Participates as a member of the Bereavement Team as assigned.
6. Observes, assesses and brings to IDG conferences information regarding psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, physical and financial conditions affecting the patient and family.
7. Assumes the active role of advocate for the patient/family unit.
8. Develops and maintains contact with appropriate community agencies and services in order to promote interagency cooperation and to facilitate related referrals.
9. Documents comprehensive psychosocial, emotional and spiritual assessment clearly and concisely in a timely manner.
10. All patient/family visits, telephone contacts and referral actions are recorded in the patient record per policy.
11. Provides ongoing counseling related to issues of death and dying to the patient and family as needed.
12. Attends staff meetings, IDG and other meetings as assigned and appropriate.
13. Participates in the orientation program as assigned.
14. Adheres to all Hospice policies.
15. Assumes responsibility for own personal and professional development and maintenance of skills in social work.
16. Exhibits Hospice philosophy in all job related roles.
17. Other duties as assigned by DON/ADON.