Hospice MSW Per Diem

Visiting Nurse and Hospice for VT & NH; Hartford (VT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Visiting Nurse and Hospice for VT & NH in White River Junction, VT seeks a Medical Social Worker to provide compassionate social work under physician direction for terminally-ill patients and families.

You will assess psycho-social needs, guide end-of-life decision making, link families to bereavement services, document progress, and collaborate with the hospice team to maintain dignity and culturally sensitive care.

Qualifications

• MSW from CSWE-accredited program.
• Three years of experience in supervised health care setting.
• One year of end-of-life care experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic family-centered care across treatment settings through psycho-social assessment.
• Assess coping skills and refer for bereavement services as needed.
• Coordinate with hospice interdisciplinary team to develop and adjust plan of care.
• Document problems, goals, interventions, and patient/family response.
• Assist with end-of-life planning and related legal documents.
• Mentor and supervise social work staff as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Cultural competence

Independent work

Education

Master’s in Social Work (MSW)

Job description

White River Junction, VT | White River Junction
White River Junction, VT 05001, USA

Description

Position Summary:

The Medical Social Worker provides medical social services under the direction of a physician. Utilizing their advanced educational background and clinical expertise, the Medical Social Worker provides a wide range of services to terminally-ill patients and families while consistently exercising judgment and discretion to determine the patient and family’s unique spiritual/ cultural beliefs, strengths, coping skills, and pre-bereavement and anticipatory grief needs. Assessment is ongoing and the plan of care reflects the Medical Social Worker’s analysis of and conclusions regarding unique psycho-social needs of the patient/ family. The Medical Social Worker advocates for services and support on behalf of the patient and family.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

• Provides holistic family-centered care across treatment settings through assessment and identification of the psycho-social needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
• Assesses and strengthens the coping skills of the patient and family/caregiver and refers family and caregivers for bereavement services as appropriate.
• Assesses and enhances the appropriateness and safety of the environment, demonstrates detailed knowledge of community resources and connects the patient and family/caregiver as needed.
• Leads discussions about end of life decision making and assists with completion of legal documents for advanced care planning, aid applications, and other documents as required; files per agency procedure and applicable laws and regulations.
• Provides interventions for management of emotional symptoms (e.g., fear, grief, depression, anger).
• Supports the patient’s and family/caregiver’s spiritual and cultural beliefs.
• Consults and collaborates with the hospice interdisciplinary team in the development of the plan of care and to maintain the dignity of the dying patient.
• Documents problems, psycho-social assessment, goals, care and interventions provided, and patient and family/caregiver response to each intervention.
• Reports abuse and neglect in accordance with state laws and regulations as well as the hospice’s policy and procedures.
• Assists with funeral arrangements based on patient and family/caregiver need and preferences; and coordinates the discharge planning process.
• Provides mentoring and clinical supervision of social work team members as required by educational preparation and regulatory requirements.
• Supports community education efforts related to hospice care, the bereavement program and other activities in the community.
• Facilitates bereavement support as needed and in accordance with the bereaved plan of care.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Certifications:

Master’s in Social Work from school accredited or approved by the Council on Social Work and Education

Licensure:

None required

Experience:

Three years of experience in supervised health care setting managing complex psycho-social and spiritual cases

One year ofend of life care giving

Skills/Abilities:

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Communicates consistently in an effective, compassionate and culturally appropriate manner

Demonstrated ability to execute a supportive and sensitive approach to meet patient/family needs

Motivated to work with the dying and bereaved

Flexible, open to new ideas and program changes

Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team

Must meet essential requirements for direct service staff

provide services, attend training and meetings

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.