Medical Social Worker BSW

AMOREM, formerly known as Burke Hospice & Palliative Care and Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care; Hudson (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

AMOREM is seeking a hospice social worker in North Carolina to coordinate and provide medical social work services for patients and families within an interdisciplinary team.

You will evaluate diverse needs, educate families about hospice services, assist with applications and referrals, and participate in grief support and bereavement activities as part of a compassionate care approach.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate the physical, financial, psychological, spiritual, and pre-bereavement needs of the patient/family in coordination with the interdisciplinary team.
• Assist in assessing patient appropriateness for services.
• If the patient is not appropriate, recommend other available services and refer to community agencies as appropriate.
• Educate the patient and family about hospice services.
• Assess the financial resources of the patient and family and instruct them on hospice coverage, including Medicare/Medicaid benefits, Medicare, and private insurance as applicable.
• Discuss hospice policy on fee-for-service when appropriate.
• Assess for enhanced services.
• Discuss hospice volunteer and chaplain services, Veterans Honoring Veterans, and refer to volunteer coordinator and/or chaplain if desired.
• Develop a plan of care with goals defined by the patient/family and the interdisciplinary team.
• Provide social work services according to the patient plan of care.
• Communicate patient changes or family needs to volunteers, chaplains, massage therapists, and ministers, if applicable.
• Assist patient/family with applications, forms, and implementation of appropriate services.
• Assist the physician and the interdisciplinary team, including the minister, in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to the patient’s health problems.
• Support coping mechanisms and facilitate constructive expression of feelings and concerns.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of social work interventions regularly and adjust when the patient/family situation changes.
• Review and update the plan of care as the patient’s condition changes and as required by regulations.
• Communicate with team members on an ongoing basis, apprising the primary team of any changes.
• Communicate with other social workers who might provide care in the primary social worker’s absence.
• Rotate on-call responsibilities as needed.
• Conduct timely utilization reviews.
• Provide support at the time of death when appropriate.
• Attend funerals or receptions to provide support to the family.
• Participate in volunteer and staff training as requested.
• Serve palliative care patients as assigned.
• Participate with bereavement coordinators and chaplains in planning and facilitating grief support groups.
• Deliver grief/loss presentations to the community as needed.
• Provide grief counseling services to community individuals as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job description

Description

Coordinate and provide medical social work services to hospice patients and families.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate the physical, financial, psychological, spiritual, and pre‑bereavement needs of the patient/family in coordination with the interdisciplinary team.
• Assist in assessing patient appropriateness for services.
• If the patient is not appropriate, recommend other available services and refer to community agencies as appropriate.
• Educate the patient and family about hospice services.
• Assess the financial resources of the patient and family and instruct them on hospice coverage, including Medicare/Medicaid benefits, Medicare, and private insurance as applicable.
• Discuss hospice policy on fee‑for‑service when appropriate.
• Assess for enhanced services.
• Discuss hospice volunteer and chaplain services, Veterans Honoring Veterans, and refer to volunteer coordinator and/or chaplain if desired.
• Develop a plan of care with goals defined by the patient/family and the interdisciplinary team.
• Provide social work services according to the patient plan of care.
• Communicate patient changes or family needs to volunteers, chaplains, massage therapists, and ministers, if applicable.
• Assist patient/family with applications, forms, and implementation of appropriate services.
• Assist the physician and the interdisciplinary team, including the minister, in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to the patient’s health problems.
• Support coping mechanisms and facilitate constructive expression of feelings and concerns.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of social work interventions regularly and adjust when the patient/family situation changes.
• Review and update the plan of care as the patient’s condition changes and as required by regulations.
• Communicate with team members on an ongoing basis, apprising the primary team of any changes.
• Communicate with other social workers who might provide care in the primary social worker’s absence.
• Rotate on‑call responsibilities as needed.
• Conduct timely utilization reviews.
• Provide support at the time of death when appropriate.
• Attend funerals or receptions to provide support to the family.
• Participate in volunteer and staff training as requested.
• Serve palliative care patients as assigned.
• Participate with bereavement coordinators and chaplains in planning and facilitating grief support groups.
• Deliver grief/loss presentations to the community as needed.
• Provide grief counseling services to community individuals as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability and willingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age, or sexual orientation; must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness and receptiveness.
• Knowledge of health care systems and policies relevant to the hospice population.
• Knowledge and ability to work with end‑of‑life issues.
• Ability to apply therapeutic perspectives such as comprehensive psychosocial assessments, motivational interviewing, life review, strengths‑based perspective, meaning‑centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and therapeutic arts and music techniques.

Education

• Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council of Social Work Education‑accredited school preferred, or bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, or a related field.

Experience

• Two years of clinical experience preferred.
• One year of social work experience in a health care setting preferred.

Licensure & Certifications

• Not applicable.

Physical Demands

• Visual acuity to read written documentation and perform computer tasks.
• Ability to sit extended periods of time and perform administrative tasks.
• Ability to stand, bend, and lift an average of 30 pounds.
• Manual dexterity to manipulate office equipment and keyboard for extended periods of time.
• Ability to walk, squat, kneel, climb, and maintain balance.

Special Requirements

• Must have an automobile with required insurance coverage and a valid state driver’s license.