Medical Social Worker - Hospice

* Performs comprehensive initial psychosocial and bereavement evaluations and assists in the development and implementation of goal-directed patient/family care plan per CMS regulations.

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

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

* Assist patient/families in utilizing community resources.

* Assess patient/family ability to meet financial obligations and offer appropriate resources and assist them as indicated.

* Assist in discharge planning from hospice service when care is no longer appropriate.

* Assist team members in understanding the significant social and emotional factors related to care of the terminally ill patient and family.

* Assesses the strengths of patient and/or family, what social and internal stresses they face, what their coping capabilities are, what goals they seek.

* Interprets agency services and policies to patient and family.

* Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team and attends team meetings and case conferences. Assists the team in understanding the significant social and emotional factors related to the patient's plan of care.

* Manages caseload in assigned area in accordance with Agency policy.

* Participates as a member of the Bereavement Team as assigned.

* Observes, evaluates, and brings to team conferences information regarding psychosocial, spiritual, physical and financial affecting the patient and family.

* Assumes the active role as advocate for the patient/family unit.

* Develops and maintains contact with appropriate community agencies and services to promote inter-agency cooperation and to facilitate related referrals.

* Documents comprehensive psychosocial information clearly and concisely in a timely manner in accordance with agency policy.

* Participates in Social Services department programs as assigned by departmental director (i.e., Art Therapy, Crisis Intervention/School Programs, Bereavement Groups, Volunteer Training and additional new programs).

* Provides/participates in information/educational programs for community groups and agency sponsored community activities.

* Participates in the hospice volunteer orientation program as assigned.

* Other duties as assigned.

* Consistently provides service excellence to all patients, family members, visitors, volunteers and co-workers in a manner that reflects VNA's commitment to CARES: compassion, accountability, respect, excellence and service.

* Master's Degree from an accredited school of social work with field experience in casework, plus one year social work experience, preferably in a health care setting, and is licensed by the Board of Registration in Social Work.

* The Medical Social Worker must be in possession of Level I or II licensure by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Level I:
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
-requires M.S.W with two years clinical experience under supervision of an LICSW. Level II:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) requires M.S.W.