Social Worker - Hospice, Alexandria

About the Job

Scope:
•Ability to perform a psychosocial assessment and reassessment on all terminally ill patients. This includes pediatric, adolescent, geriatric and the general patient population and an assessment of the family’s psychosocial needs and ability to care for a dying patient.
•Perform all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors. Support and maintain a culture of safety and quality. Demonstrate an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
•Coordinate and direct Social Service to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospice policy is followed. Documentation meets current standards and policies.

Key Responsibilities:
•Accountability and Trust - Relentless about accomplishing company priorities. Identifies what needs to be done and proactively takes prompt action to accomplish objectives and achieve goals. Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and striving for excellence in performance. Instills mutual trust and confidence; creates a culture that fosters high standards of ethics; behaves in a fair and ethical manner toward others and demonstrates a sense of corporate responsibility, confidentiality and commitment of service.
•Customer First Attitude - Makes the customer experience a primary focus of one’s actions; is accessible and provides prompt service. Develops and sustains mutually beneficial customer relationships. Quickly and effectively solves customer problems. Develops and sustains cooperative working relationships. Encourages and facilitates cooperation within the organization and with customer groups; fosters commitment, team spirit, pride and trust.
•Communication - Communicates regularly with interdisciplinary team on any changes or updates with hospice patient. Collaborates effectively with facility staff and family/caregivers of patient. Attends care conferences at the facilities of hospice patients.
•Social Worker Assessment Skills - Ability to perform an initial psychosocial assessment and reassessment on all terminally ill patients. This includes pediatric, adolescent, geriatric and the general patient population and an assessment of the family’s psychosocial needs and ability to care for a dying patient. Documents appropriately in the patient’s electronic medical record and follows documentation guidelines set forth by the Agency.
•Bereavement – Ability to perform a bereavement risk assessment for patient’s family and caregivers and carry out risk assessment findings, as applicable, at the start of care and following the death of the patient. Provides bereavement support and follow-up to family and caregivers. Represents agency at visitations and funerals, when applicable.
•Other Duties as Assigned - The duties and responsibilities listed above are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Reports To:
Clinical Nurse Manager

Education and Experience Required:
•Must complete and pass a state required background study.
•Requires a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field. Should have knowledge of basic social work principles; strong assessment, problem solving, and organizational skills; familiarity with health and social resources; understanding of the psychosocial implications of acute/chronic illness, normal/abnormal aging process, relocation trauma for residents and families; and knowledge of basic medical terminology. Having a Social Worker License in the State of Minnesota is preferred. If licensed, the Social Worker will have to obtain the required hours of continuing education credits every two years.
•M asters prepared preferred
•Should have excellent skills in oral and written communication, and the ability to work effectively with others, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.
•Must have general computer skills and must be willing to learn new computer systems.
•Able to physically perform the duties required by the position.
•Required to have the ability to read, write and speak English well enough to communicate with staff, residents and visitors.

In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Knute Nelson's policy forbids employees and associates from discriminating against anyone based on race, religion, color, creed, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, familial status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Knute Nelson is committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career advancement.Knute Nelsonalso provides reasonable accommodations to disabled employees and applicants as required by law.