Social Worker/Bereavement Coordinator

Social Worker And Bereavement Coordinator

The Social Worker and Bereavement Coordinator is responsible for modeling the Compassus values of Compassion, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, and Innovation and for promoting the Compassus philosophy, using the six pillars of success as the foundation. S/he is responsible for upholding the Code of Ethical Conduct and for promoting positive working relationships within the company, among all departments, and all external stakeholders. The Social Worker provides preventive, educational, and evaluative and treatment services to meet the psychosocial needs of patients and their families, to help them improve, restore, and maintain their maximum level of coping. The Social Worker utilizes community resources and the interdisciplinary team to aid in this process.

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Blended Responsibilities
  • Explain hospice services and Medicare benefits; obtain required consents and documentation as requested.
  • Complete and submit documentation timely, in accordance with company policy and regulatory requirements.
  • Read and apply company policies, procedures, and regulatory guidelines in the provision of care and services.
  • Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT), contributing to development and implementation of the plan of care.
  • Provide psycho-social and bereavement support to patients, families, and caregivers; engage external/community resources as appropriate.
  • Develop, update, and maintain care plans reflecting current problems, goals, and interventions.
  • Respect patient and family environments and belief systems; remain nondiscriminatory regarding age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or other personal matters.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
• Social Worker Responsibilities
  • Conduct initial and ongoing psycho-social assessments, addressing financial resources, insurance, living arrangements, caregiver stressors, anticipatory grief, and community resource needs.
  • Facilitate long-term care placement when needed and participate in care planning meetings at facilities.
  • Support and guide advance care planning, including living wills, POA documentation, funeral arrangements, memorial services, and body/organ donation.
  • Supervise social work practicum students as applicable.
• Bereavement Coordinator Responsibilities
  • Promote and assess bereavement risk factors at admission and throughout patient care; develop and implement bereavement care plans after the patient's death.
  • Provide or coordinate grief counseling, support groups, memorial services, and community education related to bereavement.
  • Identify and support the bereavement needs of non-family caregivers, including staff and residents at facilities.
  • Collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to integrate volunteer support into bereavement activities.
  • Maintain a library of bereavement resources and provide materials to patients, families, and caregivers as appropriate.
  • Prepare reports, in-services, and other documentation to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of the bereavement program.
  • Attend and participate in community events and public outreach promoting bereavement support services.

Education And/Or Experience

• Required - Minimum of Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or other field related to social work with one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting required; and licensure if required by state rules. Will require supervisory oversight by MSW for hospice patient care planning and counseling needs.
• Preferred - Master's degree in Social Work with one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting highly preferred; and licensure if required by state rules.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in the provision of grief, loss and/or bereavement support for individuals and families required. Equivalent combination of specialized training, education, and experience may be considered.

Skills

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leaders, team members, investors, and external parties. Strong written and verbal communications.
• Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. Articulates and embraces hospice philosophy. Clinical experience or training related to death, dying, and bereavement. Strong organizational and time management skills. Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include nights and weekends.

State Specific Requirements

• Alabama
  • Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.
• Arizona
  • If independent counseling needed, license required but not mandatory for hospice.
• California
  • Social Worker: If independent counseling needed, license required but not mandatory for hospice.
  • Bereavement Coordinator: Evidence of experience and/or education in dealing with issues of grief and loss.
• Connecticut
  • Evidence of experience or education in counseling individuals dealing with issues of grief and loss.
• Florida
  • Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.
• Georgia
  • Social Worker: BSW from an accredited school of social work is minimum education required but must be supervised by MSW; OR if MSW, must have license if it has been (1) year since graduation.
  • Bereavement Coordinator: Licensed professional counselor (LPC) or Licensed social worker (LMSW, LCSW), or education/ experience specific to the counseling of individuals dealing with grief and loss.
• Illinois
  • Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.
• Indiana
  • Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.
• Kansas
  • Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.
• Louisiana
  • MSW from an accredited school of social work is minimum education required; AND current valid licensure as a SW in the state (LMSW).
• Maine
  • Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.
• Massachusetts
  • Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.
• Michigan
  • Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.
• Mississippi
  • Social Worker: Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.
  • Bereavement Coordinator:
    • Bachelor's degree in psychology; or
    • Bachelor's degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or
    • Bachelor's degree in counseling; or
    • Evidence of equivalent of any of the above in education, plus training in the spiritual care of the dying and end of life issues