Medical Social Worker BSW

Description

Coordinate and provide medical social work services to hospice patients and families.

• Evaluate the physical, financial, psychological, spiritual, and pre‑bereavement needs of the patient/family in coordination with the interdisciplinary team.
• Assist in assessing patient appropriateness for services.
• If the patient is not appropriate, recommend other available services and refer to community agencies as appropriate.
• Educate the patient and family about hospice services.
• Assess the financial resources of the patient and family and instruct them on hospice coverage, including Medicare/Medicaid benefits, Medicare, and private insurance as applicable.
• Discuss hospice policy on fee‑for‑service when appropriate.
• Assess for enhanced services.
• Discuss hospice volunteer and chaplain services, Veterans Honoring Veterans, and refer to volunteer coordinator and/or chaplain if desired.
• Develop a plan of care with goals defined by the patient/family and the interdisciplinary team.
• Provide social work services according to the patient plan of care.
• Communicate patient changes or family needs to volunteers, chaplains, massage therapists, and ministers, if applicable.
• Assist patient/family with applications, forms, and implementation of appropriate services.
• Assist the physician and the interdisciplinary team, including the minister, in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to the patient’s health problems.
• Support coping mechanisms and facilitate constructive expression of feelings and concerns.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of social work interventions regularly and adjust when the patient/family situation changes.
• Review and update the plan of care as the patient’s condition changes and as required by regulations.
• Communicate with team members on an ongoing basis, apprising the primary team of any changes.
• Communicate with other social workers who might provide care in the primary social worker’s absence.
• Rotate on‑call responsibilities as needed.
• Conduct timely utilization reviews.
• Provide support at the time of death when appropriate.
• Attend funerals or receptions to provide support to the family.
• Participate in volunteer and staff training as requested.
• Serve palliative care patients as assigned.
• Participate with bereavement coordinators and chaplains in planning and facilitating grief support groups.
• Deliver grief/loss presentations to the community as needed.
• Provide grief counseling services to community individuals as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Ability and willingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age, or sexual orientation; must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness and receptiveness.
• Knowledge of health care systems and policies relevant to the hospice population.
• Knowledge and ability to work with end‑of‑life issues.
• Ability to apply therapeutic perspectives such as comprehensive psychosocial assessments, motivational interviewing, life review, strengths‑based perspective, meaning‑centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and therapeutic arts and music techniques.

• Minimum qualifications:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council of Social Work Education‑accredited school preferred, or bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, or a related field.

• Two years of clinical experience preferred.
• One year of social work experience in a health care setting preferred.

• Not applicable.

• Visual acuity to read written documentation and perform computer tasks.
• Ability to sit extended periods of time and perform administrative tasks.
• Ability to stand, bend, and lift an average of 30 pounds.
• Manual dexterity to manipulate office equipment and keyboard for extended periods of time.
• Ability to walk, squat, kneel, climb, and maintain balance.

• Must have an automobile with required insurance coverage and a valid state driver’s license.