Hospice Social Worker (LMSW, LCSW) - HomeCare

Every day, almost 40,000 Hartford HealthCare employees come to work with one thing in common : Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut's most comprehensive healthcare network as a Hospice Social Worker.

Hartford HealthCare at Home, the largest provider of homecare services in Connecticut, has been fulfilling our mission for more than 115 years. Our Person-Centered Care Model allows our employees to learn and grow within our organization, all while providing integrated support to the patient. As part of Hartford HealthCare, we leverage cutting edge technology to provide quality care in our client's home. Most importantly, our employees are appreciated for the real differences they make in both the lives of their clients and their clients' families.

DEFINITION : The Social Worker provides services to patients, their caregivers, and families that are needed to assist the patient and / or family with the solution of personal, social and financial problems which may interfere with the patient's, caregiver's and family's quality of life. Social work interventions are provided under direction of a physician and in accordance with the plan of care.

• Provides culturally sensitive non judgmental appropriate end of life care before and after death.
• Conducts comprehensive assessments and evaluations of patient, caregiver and family psychosocial needs, and connects the patient, caregiver and family with community resources as needed.

a. Assesses patient, caregiver and family psychosocial needs, strengths and coping skills.

b. Identifies support systems and community resources available to reduce stress and facilitate coping with end-of-life care.

c. Makes appropriate community referrals in accordance with patient's and family's preferences.

d. Assesses patient's appropriateness for Live Alone Program.

e. Regularly assesses patient's ability for self care and caregiver's ability to provide safe care.

f. Assesses the patient's, caregiver's and family's environmental and financial resources as they relate to the provision of patient care and future family health. Makes referrals to the appropriate resources as needed.

a. Ensures that psychosocial assessments identify issues that are impacted by the terminal diagnosis and the symptoms of the patient's disease.

b. Conducts ongoing assessment during any contact or interaction related to the patient, caregiver and family.

c. Provides short-term individual and family counseling for specific problems solving or symptom relief.

d. Provides advocacy as needed. Ensures that interventions are initiated according to patient and family preferences.

e. Enhances the strengths of the family's system.

f. Assesses and refers for ongoing bereavement services.

g. Maintains the dignity of the dying patient and the grieving family.

h. Supports the patient's, caregiver's and family's unique spiritual and cultural beliefs.

i. Provides holistic family-centered care across treatment settings.

j. Provides appropriate crisis intervention as needed.

k. Assists with decision making and care planning and prepares advance directives as needed.

l. Provides information and assistance with decisions for funeral planning according to patient and family preferences.

m. Assists IDG in understanding significant emotional factors and helps team members address issues according to the patient's preferences.

n. Ensures that the IDG identifies a patient's and family's beliefs and / or philosophies and honors these beliefs in all care decisions.

o. Relates to patients, caregiver, families and IDG members during stress periods.

p. Reports abuse and neglect to the primary team and appropriate community protective agencies.

a. Documents clinical notes after every patient contact and includes basic content of each session, progress and future plans.

b. Completes a plan of social work treatment including goals, plans for intervention and implementation

c. Develops Plan of Care in consultation with patient, caregiver, family and IDG members resulting from psychosocial assessments and evaluations.

d. Updates / initiates MSW physician orders

e. Participates in the development and revision of the Plan of Care.

a. Responds to community requests for information and education.

b. Participates in public speaking engagements as needed.

c. Serves as liaison to community extended care facilities and inpatient providers.

Qualifications

Master's degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education with a minimum of three (3) years clinical experience in Social Work preferred.

10. Ability to relate well with staff, general public or individuals with a life limiting illness and their families during a stressful period.

11. Knowledge of, committed to and adherence to Center for Hospice Care concepts, philosophy, policies and procedures and reimbursement methods.

12. Computer literate, ability to learn new data bases, able to operate office equipment.

13. Maintains a current state driver's license.

14. Retains auto insurance and provides proof of insurance. Coverage to be at current Connecticut state limit.

We take great care of careers.

With locations around the state, Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth. Here, you are part of an organization on the cutting edge – helping to bring new technologies, breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men, women and children. We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure work / life balance. Every moment matters. And this is your moment.