Hospice Social Worker

Position Summary

The Hospice Social Worker is responsible for modeling the 3 Company values of Compassion, Integrity, and Excellence, and for promoting the Compassus philosophy, using the 6 Pillars of success as the foundation.

S / he is responsible for upholding the Code of Ethical Conduct and for promoting positive working relationships within the Company, among all departments, and all external stakeholders.

The Hospice Social Worker provides preventive, educational, and evaluative and treatment services to meet the psychosocial needs of patients and their families, to help them improve, restore, and maintain their maximum level of coping.

The Hospice Social Worker utilizes community resources and the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to aid in this process. S / he is responsible for applying the rules and regulations of state and federal regulatory agencies and other certified agencies.

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Explains hospice services and Medicare benefits to patients and families; obtains Informed Consent and Election of Benefits documents as requested.
• Submits appropriate documentation and paperwork to facilities at the completion of patient visits; documentation is completed and submitted timely according to company policy.
• Participates as a member of the IDT, including development and implementation of the plan of care.
• Provides psycho-social support and counseling services to the patient and family; supports the involvement of external counseling resources commensurate with patient / family needs and scope of practice.
• Assists in identifying the need for intervention of other IDT members.
• Effectively communicates patient and family needs to IDT.
• Collaborates with IDT to coordinate psycho-social care and support for the patient and family to ensure appropriateness, continuity, and quality of care.
• Maintains updated, comprehensive care plans which reflect current problems, goals and interventions for patients.
• Maintains respect for the family's environment and belief systems, and remains nondiscriminatory regarding age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, and other personal matters.
• Completes initial and ongoing psycho-social assessments for patients; identifies and addresses concerns / issues related to financial means, insurance, living arrangements / placement for long-term care, caregiver stressors, pre-bereavement and anticipatory grief, and community resource needs.
• Facilitates placement in long-term care as warranted and monitors adjustment.
• Participates in care planning meetings at long-term care facilities.
• Supports and facilitates advance planning including living will / POA documents, funeral arrangements, memorial services, and body / organ donation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and / or Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Social Work, or Master of Science in Social Work, degree highly preferred; unless otherwise stated by state specific requirements.
• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, or other field related to social work in addition to one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting and is supervised by an MSW may be considered;

unless otherwise stated by state specific requirements.

At least one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting highly preferred.

Skills

Mathematical Skills : Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.

Language Skills : Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leaders, colleagues, investors, and external parties.

Strong written and verbal communications.

Other Skills and Abilities : Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. Articulates and embraces hospice philosophy.

Alabama

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Arizona

If independent counseling needed, license required but not mandatory for hospice.

California

If independent counseling needed, license required but not mandatory for hospice.

Georgia

BSW from an accredited school of social work is minimum education required but must be supervised by MSW; OR if MSW, must have license if it has been (1) year since graduation.

Illinois

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Indiana

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Kansas

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Louisiana

MSW from an accredited school of social work is minimum education required; AND current valid licensure as a SW in the state (LMSW).

Maine

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Massachusetts

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Michigan

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Mississippi

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Missouri

BSW from an accredited school of social work is minimum education required but must be supervised by MSW.

Montana

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

New Hampshire

If independent counseling for clinical social work needed, LCSW required.

New Jersey

Licensure required to practice social work; LMSW or LCSW.

New Mexico

Licensure required to practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, or LCSW.

Ohio

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Oklahoma

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

South Carolina

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Texas

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Virginia

If independent counseling for clinical social work needed, LCSW required.

West Virginia

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Wisconsin

Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW or LCSW.

Physical Demands and Work Environment : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a colleague to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the colleague is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel;
• talk and hear. The colleague frequently is required to stand, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The colleague is occasionally required to walk;

climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The colleague must frequently lift and / or move more than 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a colleague encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

There will be possible exposure to infectious diseases through working with clinical caregivers. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

At Compassus, including all Compassus affiliates, diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our Pillars of Success.

We are committed to creating a fair work environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, highly valued, and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.