Medical Social Worker

Job Posting: Hospice MSW

Position Summary

The Medical Social Worker (MSW) is responsible for traveling to a patient/client's place of residence to provide medical social work services. The MSW provides psychosocial assessment, short-term counseling, crisis intervention, assistance with long-term care planning, information regarding advance directives, referrals for case management, and access to appropriate community resources.

The MSW provides support to patients/clients and their families/caregivers related to adjustment to illness, changes in health status, functional limitations, caregiver concerns, financial or social concerns, and other psychosocial needs that may affect the patient's/client's health, safety, well-being, or ability to remain safely in the home.

The MSW serves as a liaison between patients/clients under agency care and healthcare providers, community agencies, and other appropriate services. The MSW is an active participant in the interdisciplinary care team and provides services in accordance with the orders of the attending physician, the patient's/client's plan of care, applicable federal and state regulations, and the policies and procedures of VNA.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments using acceptable professional methods.
• Assist in identifying and resolving psychosocial concerns that may interfere with the well-being, safety, or ability of the patient/client to participate in the plan of care.
• Record and report to the physician the results of patient/client assessments, interventions, and recommendations for further services as appropriate at certification, change of care, recertification, missed visits, and discharge.
• See referred patients/clients within the time required by VNA policy.
• Assist patients/clients and their families/caregivers in understanding, accepting, and following through with medical recommendations and the established plan of care.
• Assist patients/clients in identifying personal, family, and environmental strengths and limitations that may affect their ability to respond to medical treatment and remain safely in the home.
• Initiate contact with the patient/client and/or the patient's/client's support system when appropriate to address concerns and goals that may be assisted through social work intervention.
• Provide short-term supportive counseling related to adjustment to illness, changes in health status, family concerns, caregiver needs, and other psychosocial issues.
• Provide crisis intervention and appropriate referrals when significant psychosocial concerns are identified.
• Provide education and initiate referrals to appropriate community resources and services.
• Act as a liaison or broker between patients/clients, families/caregivers, healthcare providers, and community agencies.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) or doctoral degree in Social Work from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Current, active Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Kansas, or ability to obtain
• Current CPR certification or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire

Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Visiting Nurses requires a criminal background check and motor vehicle (MVR) check for all employees once a conditional offer of employment has been extended by the hiring manager.