About this role
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 of end 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