Medical Social Worker

JOB SUMMARY:

To deliver varied social work services to Hospice patients and their families. To provide initial emotional, spiritual, psychosocial assessments, ongoing counseling, bereavement services and community education, outreach and referral. The Hospice social worker is an integral part of the Hospice IDG.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Educational/Degree and A Hospice Social Worker must at least meet one of the following

Training/Licensure: options:

1. Have an MSW degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and one year of experience in a health care setting.

Knowledge/Skills/Ability:
Ability to work independently, make accurate, and at times, quick judgments. Ability to respond appropriately to crisis outside of a hospital setting. Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural and religious modes.

Physical Requirements:

Requires minimal physical effort most of the day including kneeling, squatting, reaching, twisting, climbing, walking, exposure to temperature and humidity changes and minimal assist in lifting and/or transferring of a 20-pound patient. Must possess sight/hearing senses or use appropriate adaptive devices that will enable senses to function at a level required to meet the essential duties of the position. Must provide evidence of annual TB test and other state-required tests or examinations.

Mental Requirements:

Must be able to work independently, make judgments based on assessments and data available and act accordingly. Must be flexible, innovative and possess good interpersonal skills. Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress and demonstrate emotional stability.

Must have a current valid driver's license, auto liability insurance and reliable transportation.

Essential Functions:

Performs initial psychosocial, emotional, spiritual and bereavement assessments and assists in the development and implementation of goal-directed IDG care plan.

Conducts ongoing reassessments of patient/family needs and counseling as required.

Provides short term crisis intervention and individual or family counseling when indicated.

Provides services, under the direction of a physician (who approves plan of care).

Participates as a member of the Bereavement Team as assigned.

Observes, assesses and brings to IDG conferences information regarding psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, physical and financial conditions affecting the patient and family.

Assumes the active role of advocate for the patient/family unit.

Develops and maintains contact with appropriate community agencies and services in order to promote interagency cooperation and to facilitate related referrals.

Documents comprehensive psychosocial, emotional and spiritual assessment clearly and concisely in a timely manner.

All patient/family visits, telephone contacts and referral actions are recorded in the patient record per policy.

Provides ongoing counseling related to issues of death and dying to the patient and family as needed.

Attends staff meetings, IDG and other meetings as assigned and appropriate.

Participates in the orientation program as assigned.

Adheres to all Hospice policies.

Assumes responsibility for own personal and professional development and maintenance of skills in social work.

Exhibits Hospice philosophy in all job-related roles.

Arizona Life Hospice complies with applicable Federal Civil Rights Laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Arizona Life Hospice does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.