Social Worker - Hospice

Social Worker - Hospice

Job Summary: Responsible for assessing, planning, organizing, documenting and providing medical social work services in accordance with the hospice philosophy, social services best practice, and hospice plan of care.


Essential Functions:

• Consistently uses an outward mindset and puts forth exemplary effort in accomplishing his/her goals and objectives in a manner that helps others to achieve their goals and objectives.
• Assesses patient and family issues and develops an appropriate treatment plan.

• Obtains appropriate physician orders, sets goals, and monitors progress toward those goals.
• Provides direct social services to patients and family members who are receiving homecare and hospice services.
• Makes appropriate referrals to community agencies, assists in the referral process, and generally serves as a social worker in the agency's total program. Is a member of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team.
• Provides guidance, counseling, instruction to patient/client and family, as well as to agency staff, regarding social, economic, psychological needs due to illness and/or motivation for increased independence.
• Provides education and support to patients and families as well as to other individuals involved in care of the patient.
• Services may include but not be limited to: a) family relationships; b) meaning of illness to the patient and family; c) cultural attitudes in relationship to illness; d) meaning of the home situation to the patient; e) ability of the patient and family to adjust to the patient at home; f) financial impact of illness upon the family.
• Maintains and completes accurate documentation and reports for all assigned patients.
• Maintains effective communication with other members of the team. Provides backup for homecare SW coverage.

Minimum Qualifications: Current license to practice as a social worker in the State of Michigan required. Master's Degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education required. BCLS certification.


Knowledge, Skills & Abilities : One-year (1) experience in a home health and hospice setting preferred. Knowledge evident in implementation of social work interventions as ordered by a physician in the plan of care. Understands patient assessment protocols. Must have effective interpersonal skills in all areas of communication with strong oral communication skills. Will spend up to 75% of work time in conversation with health care team members and customers. Must be able to work independently and be capable of solving problems with theoretical and practical approaches using good judgment. Ability to maintain patient confidentiality. Able to work in a self-directed and collaborative environment. Must exhibit strong clinical, organizational, documentation and teaching skills. Has critical thinking skills and ability to support the homecare and hospice philosophies. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in order to work with patients from a variety of cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. Has a working knowledge of federal and state regulations for hospice and homecare. Able to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands. Able to meet deadlines with a high degree of accuracy. Demonstrates personal accountability for own continuous growth and development and seeks out appropriate learning opportunities to enhance competency and improve performance. Creates a caring experience for both internal and external customers, is courteous and respectful, anticipates and responds to customer needs. Is committed to continuous improvement for customers which includes safety, quality of care and excellent service, and gives high priority to customer satisfaction.


Working Conditions: May work in unpredictable home environments that include variations in cleanliness, temperature, behaviors, smoke, animals, and other potential hazards. Required to drive a car in all types of weather.


Physical Requirements: Constantly see/visual acuity, talk/hear. Frequently stand, sit, walk, reach, push/pull, handle/grasp/feel, bend/twist, stoop/kneel/crouch, taste/smell, lift/carry 1 to 50+ lbs.