Medical Social Worker - Hospice

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Delaware, OH & Surrounding Counties
Employment Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Flexible)

Position Summary

The Medical Social Worker provides psychosocial support and medical social services to hospice patients and their families in accordance with each patient's individualized Plan of Care.

This position works collaboratively with the hospice interdisciplinary group (IDG) to assess psychosocial needs, support patients and caregivers throughout the end-of-life journey, connect families with appropriate resources, and promote continuity and coordination of care.

Position Responsibilities

Assessment & Plan of Care

• Complete psychosocial assessments and contribute to the hospice comprehensive assessment and individualized Plan of Care within required timeframes.

• Assess the patient's and family's emotional, social, financial, environmental, cultural, and psychosocial needs and available resources.

• Identify psychosocial concerns, interventions, goals, and support needs related to the patient's terminal illness and hospice care.

• Assess the patient and family's ability to cope with illness, decline, dying, death, and related changes.

• Participate in the development, review, and ongoing update of the patient's Plan of Care.

Patient & Family Support

• Provide medical social services, counseling, education, advocacy, and psychosocial support consistent with the patient's needs and Plan of Care.

• Assist patients and families with identifying and accessing appropriate family, community, financial, and supportive resources.

• Assist with discharge and transfer planning when appropriate.

• Evaluate the patient and family's response to social-work interventions and modify recommendations as needs change.

• When a patient or family declines social-work services, remain available to the interdisciplinary group and reassess or offer support as patient and caregiver needs evolve.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Participate in interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings and collaborate with the patient's Case Manager and other members of the hospice care team.

• Communicate relevant changes in the patient's or family's psychosocial, emotional, social, or environmental needs to the interdisciplinary team.

• Serve as a resource to members of the hospice team regarding psychosocial, emotional, family, environmental, and community factors affecting the patient and caregivers.

• Coordinate services and visits with other members of the interdisciplinary team as appropriate.

Documentation & Quality

• Maintain complete, accurate, timely, and relevant clinical documentation in accordance with organizational policy and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Document assessments, interventions, patient and caregiver responses, changes in condition or need, care coordination activities, and other required clinical information.

• Participate in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities as assigned.

Professional Development

• Maintain required professional licensure and qualifications.

• Maintain knowledge of hospice social-work practices and applicable professional standards.

• Participate in continuing education, workshops, conferences, professional organizations, or other development activities as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Current and active Ohio license to practice social work, such as Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), as applicable to the individual's education, experience, and scope of practice.

• Must meet applicable federal hospice personnel qualification requirements for social workers.

Education & Experience

Candidates must meet applicable federal and Ohio requirements, including one of the following qualifying educational pathways:

• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); or
  
  
• Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution and any supervision and experience requirements applicable to the individual's role; or
  
  
• Another bachelor's-level qualification permitted under applicable federal hospice regulations, together with required MSW supervision and healthcare social-work experience.

Additional requirements:

• Healthcare social-work experience as required by applicable federal hospice regulations.

• One year of social-work experience preferred for MSW candidates.

• Hospice, palliative care, home health, or related healthcare experience preferred.

• Strong psychosocial assessment, communication, counseling, resource coordination, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

• Valid driver's license and access to a reliable, insured automobile in good working condition.

Job Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Position requires travel throughout the assigned service area to patients' homes, facilities, and other care settings.

• Must be able to access patient residences and care environments that may have limited accessibility.

• Physical activities may include walking, sitting, standing, bending, and stooping.

• Must be able to perform the physical functions necessary to fulfill the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Technology & Equipment

Position requires the ability to utilize:

• Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems

• Computers and email

• Telephone and mobile communication devices

• Copier/scanner and other standard office equipment

This position requires appropriate access to confidential patient information and medical records in accordance with job responsibilities, organizational policies, and applicable privacy requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Tranquility Hospice LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace.

Tranquility Hospice LLC / Tranquility Health Care LLC complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy and gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.