Hospice Social Worker - $3,500 Sign-On Bonus

Social Worker

Job Location: Denison, IA 51442. Position Type: Full Time. Travel Percentage: 100%.

Position Overview

The Social Worker is an experienced professional and member of the patient care team who provides emotional and practical support for patients and their families in accordance with their unique Plan of Care. As part of the patient care team the Social Worker meets with patients and their families, coordinates with the clinical team and connects them with community resources and services.

Essential Functions and Skills

• Assesses the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient's terminal illness and environment and communicates findings to the Registered Nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.
• Performs social evaluations including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, suicide risk, neglect or abuse, and develops intervention plans based on findings.
• Provides counseling to patients and family/caregivers regarding stress and other identified coping difficulties; offers crisis intervention when necessary.
• Offers ongoing bereavement support to individuals identified as moderate or high‑risk.
• Assesses special cultural needs and educates the interdisciplinary care team, including communication, family roles, space and traditions.
• Works under the supervision of a Master’s‑prepared Social Worker (MSW).
• Maintains clinical records for all patients referred to social work.
• Educates patients and families and assists in preparing advanced directives.
• Provides information, referrals and liaison services for patients and families on practical and environmental needs.
• Maintains and develops contracts with public and private agencies as resources for patients and personnel.
• Participates in developing the individualized plan of care, attending interdisciplinary group meetings, and helping the team recognize psychosocial stress effects on symptoms.
• Assists physicians and team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and end‑of‑life issues.
• Supports bereavement leadership in maintaining a 13‑month program for families, ensuring compliance with state, federal and CHAP regulations.
• Ensures the initial bereavement assessment is completed or assigned to the appropriate team member promptly.
• Assists the Chaplain in condolence calls to bereaved individuals as needed.
• Helps maintain, organize and update the bereavement support group schedule.
• Assists families and patients in planning funeral arrangements, financial, legal, and health‑care decision responsibilities.
• Maintains compliance with all HIPAA regulations and treats all patient information as confidential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited institution.
• Current license in the state(s) of practice.
• Three licensure levels: Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
• Possession of a compact license is acceptable.
• Passable background, consumer report and drug test.
• Valid State Driver’s License, access to an automobile in good working order, insurance, and acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work preferred.
• 1+ years of social work experience in a health‑care setting.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of this position; reasonable accommodation may be made.

• Pushing/pulling and lifting/carrying up to 12 pounds; occasionally up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of work conditions to ensure the highest quality of patient care in a home setting.