Hospice Social Worker MSW

Affinity Health Management; Streetsboro (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Affinity Health Management is seeking an experienced Medical Social Worker (MSW) to implement standards of care for hospice social work services. You will provide psychosocial support to patients and families, participate in the interdisciplinary care team, and help plan individualized care while addressing emotional and practical needs.

The role requires a CSWE-accredited MSW and at least one year of healthcare/hospice exposure.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from CSWE-accredited school.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational abilities and time management.
• CPR certification is required/maintained.

Responsibilities

• Assesses psychosocial status of patients and families and communicates findings to the care team.
• Carries out social evaluations, counsels patients and families, and provides crisis intervention.
• Educates the interdisciplinary team on cultural needs and family traditions in care planning.
• Educates patients and families on advanced directives and assists in preparation of them.
• Develops individualized care plans with patient/family input and participates in inter-disciplinary meetings.
• Assists physicians and team members in understanding social and emotional factors affecting health and end-of-life care.
• Plans for funeral arrangements, financial, legal, and health care decisions as needed.
• Completes, maintains, and submits accurate clinical notes on patient condition and care provided.
• Communicates with physicians and other staff about patient needs and condition changes.
• Liaisons with community health professionals to coordinate care plans.
• Provides information and referral services to patients and families for practical needs.
• Provides information to patients/families and community agencies.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care.
• Maintains and develops contracts with public/private agencies as resources.
• Reports required to Dept. of Health within mandated timelines.
• Reports suspected abuse/neglect and coordinates with authorities as required.
• Teaches coping techniques to patients and families and works with the team.
• Ensures a safe environment for the patient.
• Supports continuity of care for patient and family.
• Collaborates with family and hospice group to meet emotional needs.

Skills

Communication

Organization

CPR

Education

MSW from CSWE-accredited program

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The MSW is responsible for the implementation of standards of care for medical social work services provided to hospice patients and their families. Medical Social Workers are core members of the Interdisciplinary Group and provide psychosocial support to the patient/family unit based on the initial and ongoing assessment of needs and identified goals, interventions and services indicated. Services are provided in accordance with the established plan of care and utilize professional training and judgment in monitoring the psychosocial process.

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, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high-risks for suicide, neglect or abuse and plans intervention based on evaluation findings. Counsels patient and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties. Provides crisis intervention when necessary.

3. Assesses for, and educates interdisciplinary group, on any special needs related to the culture of the patient and family. Includes communication, role of family, space, and any special traditions or taboos.

4. Educates patients and families on, and assists in, preparation of advanced directives.

5. Participates in the development of the individualized plan of care, involving the patient and family, and attends regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings, assisting the team in recognizing the effects of the psychosocial stresses on the symptoms of the terminal illness.

6. Assists physician and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.

7. Assists family and patient in planning for funeral arrangements, financial, legal, and health care decision responsibilities. Communication

1. Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given. Records changes/outcomes as appropriate.

2. Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required.

3. Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.

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. As a mandatory reporter, reports failure to comply with the requirements of chapters to the Dept. of Health as required within 14 calendar days, using Dept. of Health forms.

10. Reports suspected abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of a person in violation of to the department of social and health services and the proper law enforcement agency. Reports must be submitted immediately when the reporting person has reasonable cause to believe that abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of a vulnerable adult has occurred.

11. Teaches the patient and family/caregiver coping techniques as appropriate. Works in concert with the interdisciplinary group.

12. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.

13. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.

14. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice interdisciplinary group to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.

15. Attends interdisciplinary group meetings.

Additional Duties

1. Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.

2. Assists and supports the RN Case Manager to ensure that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.

3. Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and inservice classes.

4. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.

5. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities

6. Other duties as delegated.

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. A graduate of a Master’s program in Social Work (MSW) from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education

2. Minimum of one (1) year experience in health care, hospice experience preferred. Understands hospice philosophy, and issues of death/dying.

3. Experience in hospice care preferred.

4. Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.

5. Once an offer of employment is made, it is contingent upon satisfactory references, as requested, and criminal background checks by regulation.

6. Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required social work skills.

7. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state/or organization requirements and is in good working order.

8. Possesses and maintains CPR certification (may not be internet based unless the demonstration of skills was hands on and observed by a certified trainer)