Social Worker

COVERAGE AREA: East Pasco County

POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Hospice Social Worker functions under the direct supervision of the Social Work Manager and/or Director of Clinical Social Work and assists and/or facilitates all initial and on-going social services/social work contacts in the field.  The field includes patients who reside in private residences, assisted living facilities, and skilled nursing homes.  The Hospice Social Worker utilizes clinical assessment and intervention and education to maximize patient comfort to enhance the quality of life for the patient/family through psychosocial support, pre-bereavement, resource identification, and education and serves as an advocate for patients/families and their profession. 

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

·        Must have a Master’ Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited school/university

·        Must have one year of post-MSW experience in a hospital, home health, or hospice setting  

·        Must possess strong ethical standards and an appropriate professional demeanor

·        Experience in individual, family, and group treatment modalities

·        Experience in and a theoretical knowledge of human development, end-of-life care, and family systems

·        Able to remain calm and professional and troubleshoot/handle patient/family or staff crisis situations

·        Must have reliable transportation to perform tasks and responsibilities in a timely and appropriate fashion.  Mut be able to provide proof of automobile insurance and possess a valid driver’s license copies of which will be placed in the employee’s file  

 

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

·        Practices Social Work in a manner that is a model for professional and agency ethics, values and integrity and complies with the letter and spirit of legal aspects

·        Adheres to the practice of confidentiality regarding patients, families, and GHS staff

·        Complies with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to collaborative agreements

·        Is empathic and compassionate with a patient-centered attitude towards accepting death as a part of life and enhancing the quality to life for patients assigned to his/her care

·        Conducts initial and on-going psychosocial, spiritual, and pre-bereavement assessment of patient/families

·        Assists with the development and implementation of a patient/family personalized care plan which may include counseling inclusive of, but not limited to, anticipatory grief, support information/education, and/or referrals to GHS and other community resources

·        Provides case management services relating to psychosocial needs for patients/families

·        Assists in identifying and works with high risk and/or suicidal patients/families and with patients/families experiencing other kinds of non-medical crises

·        Completes clinical documentation, psychosocial assessments, clinical notes, and secondary reports in a timely manner including bereavement assessment at time of patient death

·        Meet or exceeds current productive visit measures as set by agency

·        Provides input to Volunteer Coordinator regarding patient/family needs to promote volunteer assignment and match

·        Attends interdisciplinary team meetings and Functions as an integral part of an interdisciplinary team in order to enhance the mission, policy and philosophy of GHS; attends case conferences and staff meetings as requested

·        Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and/or weekends as needed or requested

·        All other duties/tasks as deemed appropriate to the position of Social Worker s requested/delegated or assigned by Social Work Manager or Director of Clinical Social Work

·        Demonstrates continued professional growth and development through participation in educational and in-service training programs for professional staff

·        Addresses and supports all GHS policies and procedures; acts in accordance with company standards as outlined in the GHS Policy Manual (Employee Handbook)

·        Promotes the company through participation and support of community partnerships and in professional organizations

 

SKILL AND COMPETENCIES:

·        Functions with proficiency using current EMR software and other computer software applications 

·        Strong organizational, interpersonal, and team-building skills

·        Detail oriented, able to multi-task and remain flexible with assignments

·        Must demonstrate skill in conflict resolution

·        Ability to relate effectively to other people of varied backgrounds and ethnicity

·        Ability to make realistic decisions based on logical assumptions, professional ethics and best practice, on factual information and in consideration of organization resources

·        Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) allowing clear and concise communication with staff and patients/families; ability to adapt communication style to fit audience

·        Knowledge of community health systems and resources and financial/social aid programs

PHYSICAL DEMAND:

·        The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform those essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·        While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects/tools/controls, reach with hands/arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk, hear, taste, or smell.  This employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.