Counselor* Hospice Home Team

Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast; Vero Beach (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast is seeking a Counselor – Field or Hospice House to provide skilled medical social services to patients receiving hospice care and to support their families. You will work under dual supervision, collaborating with the Manager of Social Services and Hospice House leadership to align with department goals.

Responsibilities include assessments, care planning, crisis intervention, and coordination of referrals and discharge planning, with a focus on

Qualifications

• BS minimum; MS preferred; LCSW a plus.
• Minimum 1 year social service experience in healthcare or medical field.
• Experience in hospice or palliative care is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Identify and advocate for patient/family wishes at end of life
• Provide ongoing counseling to patients and families
• Complete initial assessment and develop care plans
• Coordinate interdisciplinary rounds and document interventions
• Refer to community resources and handle discharge planning
• Maintain electronic documentation per policy
• Participate in QA activities

Skills

Customer service

Oral & written communication

Adaptability

Initiative

Problem solving

Presentation skills

Financial understanding

MS Office (Word/Excel/Outlook)

Education

BS degree

MS degree preferred

LCSW a plus

Job description

Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast Job Description

Job Title: Counselor – Field or Hospice House

Division / Dept: Hospice/ Social Services

Reports To: Manager Social Services

FLSA Status: Hourly or Salary (pending work location & degree)

Approved By/Date: Vice President Human Resources; 9/2017

Job Summary

Provide skilled medical social services to the patients, wherever they are receiving hospice services and with their family as additional support. Demonstrate professional, courteous manner that leaves patients/customers feeling heard, understood, respected, helped, and above all appreciated. Perform duties under a dual reporting relationship to the Manager of Social Services, for alignment with department goals, and supervision and feedback on overall services provided, and the Hospice House Manager and/or designee, such as the Hospice House Charge Nurse on daily services needed. Demonstrate and integrate the core values of the VNA in the performance of duties.

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities

1. Identify and advocate for patient/family wishes at end of life


2. Demonstrate professional, courteous manner that leaves patients/customers feeling heard, understood, respected, helped, and above all appreciated


3. Complete initial assessment and provides ongoing support and intervention to patients and families


4. Develop individual plan of care as required


5. Participate in rounds at Hospice House as frequently as needed; initiate counseling with patient and family to support


6. Provide crisis intervention as needed


7. Identify need for and initiate community referrals for patient and family


8. Actively participate in identifying and assisting with an appropriate discharge plan for each patient


9. Serve as contact person for volunteers to facilitate assignment and identification of areas of patient/family/staff need; Liaison to Volunteer Department


10. Schedule, coordinate and document interdisciplinary case conferences


11. Schedule calendar of visits


12. Complete electronic documentation in accordance with policy


13. Attend in-services programs and routine interdisciplinary meetings as a member of the Hospice Team, providing counseling input as needed


14. Periodic joint review with agency administration for social worker interventions at VNA and assist in planning new goals and objectives


15. Participate in QA activities


16. Participate in volunteer, staff, community education, speaking engagements and community health projects


17. Comply with regulatory, VNA policies and safety standards for all work locations

Counselor Addendum

1. If associate has MS degree, may be asked to test clinical competencies of BS associate to comply with agency professional development expectations


2. If associate has a LCSW degree, may be asked to perform supervisory duties as needed

Skills/Abilities

• Customer service


• Communication – oral, verbal and auditory


• Adaptability, flexibility


• Initiative


• Problem solving


• Formal presentation to diverse audiences


• Financial understanding


• Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, Outlook; PowerPoint a plus

Qualifications

BS minimum; MS preferred; LCSW a plus; Minimum 1 year social service experience within healthcare or medical field

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

To perform the essential duties, the individual must be able to:

1. Regularly speak, listen; stand walk, use hands to finger motion to handle and/or feel objects, tools, or control. Reach, bend, and stoop. Vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.


2. Occasional: sit, climb, and carry objects up to 20 lbs.

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Majority of work is in a hospital like office environment and/or office environment with noise ranging from quiet to moderate. Occasional work can be outside and outside weather conditions vary from moderate to loud. Occasional local travel

Associate Statement of Understanding

I have read and understand the job description for my position. I am able to perform all the essential functions of this position.

As an associate, I will strive to uphold the mission and vision of the organization. I understand that I am required to adhere to the VNA core values in all interactions with customers, stake holders and fellow associates.

Associate Signature: ___________________________ Date: ______________________