Medical Social Worker - Hospice - Full Time

Territory: Contra Costa/Solano/Napa/Sonoma Counties

Job Description Summary

The Social Worker employed through the organization is responsible for the implementation of standards of care for medical social work services and for adherence to all conditions in the Service or Employment Agreement which include providing care based on the Social Work Practice Act.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

• 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 group. Provides an assessment of the patient's identified residence and assistance when this is not safe, and another plan is required.
• Carries out social evaluations, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high risks for suicide, neglect or abuse and plans intervention based on evaluation findings. Counsels' patients and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties. Provides crisis intervention when necessary.
• Assesses for, and educates interdisciplinary group, on any special needs related to the culture of the patient and family. Includes communication, role of family, space, and any special traditions or taboos.
• Maintains clinical records on all patients referred to social work prepares clinical and progress notes.
• Educates patients and families on, and assists in, preparation of advanced directives.
• Provides information and referral services for organization patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs.
• Provides information to patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
• Serves as liaison between patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care.
• Maintains and develops contracts with public and private agencies as resources for patients and personnel.
• Participates in the development of the individualized plan of care, involving the patient and family, and attends regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings, assisting the team in recognizing the effects of the psychosocial stresses on the symptoms of the terminal illness.
• Assists physician and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.
• Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
• Assists family and patient in planning for funeral arrangements, financial, legal, and health care decision responsibilities.
• Maintain current documentation on EMR system according to organization policies/procedures and applicable laws/regulations.
• Must adhere to the company attendance and reliability guidelines, which are an essential function of the job to ensure quality, and consistent patient care.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) of this job.  The incumbent(s) may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in the description.

Job Qualifications

Required Candidates

California Only

• Must have a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work education and Medicare Hospice COP’s.

General Qualifications for All States

• Minimum of one (1) years’ experience in health care or hospice and understands hospice philosophy, and issues of death/dying.
• Preferred to have a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), in addition to the required Master of Social Work.
• Demonstrates autonomy, organization, flexibility, and cooperation in performing job responsibilities.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
• Possesses and maintains current CPR Certification.
• Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, and/or crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required MSW skills
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.

Physical Requirements

• The ability to sit occasionally for 1-3 hours.
• The ability to frequently stand for 3-6 hours.
• The ability to frequently drive/ operate foot control for 3-6 hours
• The ability to walk intermittently on level and or unlevel surface for less than 1 hour.
• The ability to intermittently bend or climb for less than 1 hour.
• The ability to occasionally twist, kneel, crouch and crawl for 1-3 hours.
• The ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently for 3-6 hours.
• The ability to lift greater than 50 pounds occasionally for 1-3 hours.
• The ability to carry up to 50 pounds frequently for 3-6 hours.
• The ability to carry greater than 50 pounds occasionally for 1-3 hours.
• The ability to push up to 50 pounds frequently for 3-6 hours.
• The ability to push greater than 50 pounds occasionally for 1-3 hours.
• The ability to pull up to 50 pounds frequently for 3-6 hours.
• The ability to pull greater than 50 pounds occasionally for 1-3 hours.