Hospice Social Worker PRN

• Job Location: Hospice House Aldersgate - Charlotte, NC
• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: Graduate Degree
• Salary Range: Undisclosed
• Travel Percentage: Up to 50%
• Job Shift: Day
• Job Category: Health Care

Position Summary

Hospice social work is the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, principals, values, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or enhance the bio-psycho-social functioning of people diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and their caregivers/families.

The social worker is part of the interdisciplinary team that develops a plan of care to meet the needs of patients and caregivers/families. The social worker operates within the scope of her/his practice in accordance with her/his license and/or degree.

Essential Duties: Conducts psychosocial assessments of patients/caregivers and families to identify emotional, social, and environmental strengths and problems related to their diagnosis, illness, treatment, and life situation. Develops, implements, and evaluates plan of care for patients/caregivers and families.

Incorporates therapeutic, preventive, and other clinical social work practices that specifically addresses patient/caregiver and family needs for counseling and education while maintaining the dignity of the dying patient.

Specifically addresses patient’s and caregiver’s need for resource and referral services and advocacy. Updates plan of care as goals and objectives are achieved or changed.

Support patient/family’s individual spiritual/cultural beliefs by assessing for cultural issues; developing culturally sensitive care plan, and collaborating with interdisciplinary team in provision of culturally sensitive care.

Document assessments, care plans, interactions, and interventions according to regulatory and agency standards. Participate in and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and other HPCCR departments in achieving patient care goals.

Provide education on hospice philosophy and services, advance care planning, and other issues related to end of life care. Conduct family meetings. Collaborates with long term care community staff and other IDT members to determine the patient’s level of care and coordinate the appropriate utilization of services.

Initiates referral process for volunteers, chaplains, and grief services. Continues to reassess for supportive service needs and interventions. Maintain working knowledge of community agencies and resources; assessing and referring patient/family to appropriate resources.

Responsible for professionally managing time, caseload, and technology. Provides clinical social work expertise and support to non-clinical social workers on team, including consultation as needed. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Assumes responsibility for the effective and professional delivery of health services Schedules visits in advance based on prioritized judgment of case load needs.

Prepares for visits, anticipates care needs, reviews plan of care and patient information, and obtains needed materials and educational resources for patients/caregiver. Makes visits to provide needed care.

Follows established plan of care, evaluates patient/caregiver responses to determine progress toward goals, and revises plan of care as necessary. Provides interventions consistent with the plan of care and performs all interventions required for each visit. Identifies new problems or needs when they occur.

When appropriate given the plan of care, facilitates transfers of patients to other settings including respite, skilled nursing facilities or other hospices. Facilitates patient and caregiver independence to the extent possible.

Facilitates transition from active patient/caregiver status to grief care services after the death of a patient. Ensures accurate, complete and timely clinical documentation in accordance with HPCCR guidelines Keeps clinical records current by transferring laptop information daily.

Completes and submits all clinical documentation per HPCCR clinical documentation guidelines. Records time/mileage report logs accurately. Submits activity logs in accordance with HPCCR policy.

Assumes responsibility for related duties as required or assigned Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution. Must be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Medical social work or hospice experience preferred. Computer proficiency is required.