Hospice Social Worker

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Social Work or Psychology from an accredited educational institution.
• One year work experience in a health care program.
• Car, valid driver’s license, automobile liability insurance required.
• Must be able to access home and facilities independently.

Position Relationships

• Supervised by Executive Director

Duties and Responsibilities

Assumes the role of social work counselor and is responsive to the varying social work needs of the Hospice patients and families.

• Maintains the standards of Social Work excellence in accordance with the principles set forth by NASW, The National Alliance for Care at Home, and agency policies and procedures.
• Performs comprehensive initial psychosocial and assists in the development and implementation of goal-directed patient/family care plan.
• Conducts ongoing reassessments of patient/family needs.
• Provides individual and family counseling services, education, and referrals.
• Assumes the 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 facilitate related referrals.
• Documents comprehensive psychosocial information clearly and concisely in a timely manner according to agency policy and procedure.
• Attends weekly IDT meetings, facilitating discussion of issues from caseload for full staff discussion and care planning.
• May be required to work in the inpatient unit. 

Assists the Bereavement Coordinator in coordinating bereavement services for Hospice patients and families, as well as the community.

• Completes bereavement referral within two weeks of the patient death and initiates the bereavement plan of care. Collaborates with the bereavement team.
• Facilitate community bereavement groups for children and adults as needed.
• Assists with planning and hosting community memorials.
• May provides grief education for the community.
• Assist with planning and facilitation of Hospice bereavement camp for children.
• May provide bereavement counseling for individuals within the community as requested.

 Contributes to the overall success of Hospice by cooperating in other organizational requirements and activities.

• Communicates information concerning work schedule and need for time off to Director of Social Services.
• Participates with on-call schedule to provide twenty-four hour, seven day a week coverage.
• Participates in Hospice of Lake Cumberland’s orientation and in-service training programs for professional and volunteer staff.
• Participates in organizational committees and special projects as assigned.
• Participates in community programs as requested to promote better understanding of Hospice.
• Assumes responsibility for own personal and professional development.
• Exhibits hospice philosophy in all job related roles.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.