Medical Social Worker

Overview

Part-time,benefited position working 48 hours per two week pay period. Days and hours of work are variable Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm.

The Hospice social worker provides psychosocial care and support to Hospice patients and their families/caregivers, assisting with personal and environmental difficulties to provide the highest level of well-being throughout health transitions at the end of life. Coordinates bereavement care and assists with Hospice volunteer program coordination under the direction of Home Health and Hospice Manager and Hospice Coordinator. Works closely with spiritual care services to provide holistic end-of-life care to those with terminal conditions. Additionally, provides care to clients on home health service to assist with personal and environmental difficulties creating barriers to obtaining maximum benefit of healthcare.

Responsibilities

• Assist in meeting the psychosocial and spiritual needs of each patient, family, and significant others as appropriate or necessary in coping with the effects of illness, disability, treatment, or hospital stay. The specific services include:

• Individual, family, and group services designed to improve functioning and reduce the psychosocial and spiritual problems of patients

• Contribution to an environment designed to enhance positive self-image of patients and preserve their human dignity

• Provides work services to Home Health and Hospice clients, families, and significant others

• Advocate patient rights and self-determination

• Assist patients, families, and others as necessary or appropriate in finding and utilizing financial, legal, mental health, and other community resources

• Refer patients to appropriate and available community program and services as needed

• Deals with all age groups (infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics) and is in direct contact with others at all times

• Participation in patient care management including the following:

• Assessment of patient's psychosocial and spiritual needs

• Development of a plan of intervention

• Documentation of results of interventions

• Maintains competency and social work license

• Attends educational programs

• Documents attendance

• Participates in the Performance Improvement of the Social Services Department

• Prepares statistical reports and special studies as assigned

• Promotes a cooperative work environment to assure inter/intra-departmental and agency working relationships are harmonious. Participates as a member of the health care team and promotes inter/intra-departmental cooperation

• Participates in planning for educational programs and informal instruction of other personnel to enhance understanding of psychosocial aspects of health care delivery

• Promotes open communication

• Will be responsible for the social worker to carry out social service quality assurance and process improvement initiatives

• This positon will float to the inpatient/outpatient units as needed to provide medical social services.

• Coordinate, plan and implement the Hospice Bereavement Programming with the support of the Hospice Coordinator

• Coordinate, plan and implement the community education and liaison services for Home Health and Hospice with the support of the Hospice Coordinator and Department Manager

• Coordinate and manage the Hospice Volunteer Program with the support of the Hospice Coordinator

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications

Current ND licensure in Social Work. Work requires a Bachelor's degree in social work, with preference given to candidates holding a Master's degree in social work. A minimum of 12 months of social work experience is required.