Hospice Social Worker

Position Summary

The Hospice Social Worker models Compassus values of Compassion, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, and Innovation and promotes the Compassus philosophy using the 6 Pillars of Success. The role upholds the Code of Ethical Conduct, fosters positive working relationships across all departments and stakeholders, and provides preventive, educational, evaluative, and treatment services that meet the psychosocial needs of patients and families. The Social Worker utilizes community resources and the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to aid patients and families in coping, restoring, and maintaining their maximum level of coping.

Mercy Health by Compassus

• 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 in a timely manner 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.
• Communicates patient and family needs to IDT effectively.
• 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, remaining 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; addresses concerns and 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.

• Required – Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or related field with one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting; licensure required by state rules. Requires supervisory oversight by MSW for hospice patient care planning and counseling needs.
• Preferred – Master’s degree in Social Work with one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting; licensure required by state rules.

• 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. 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.
• Florida – Licensure required to be titled “social worker” or practice social work; LBSW or LCSW.
• 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…