Social Worker Hospice

Provides medical social services under the direction of a physician and Interdisciplinary Group to assist in the understanding of significant social and emotional factors related to the patient's health status and in development of coping mechanisms. Orients, mentors and educates other social workers within the state licensed in.

• Assesses social and emotional factors related to patient's illness to determine ability to cope with daily living problems on as needed basis.
• Assists the patient and significant others to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations on as needed basis.
• Assists the patient and significant others in utilizing community resources as needed.
• Identifies gaps in community resources and stimulates resource development and/or improvement as needs arise.
• Visits patient according to Plan of Care. Completes a clinical note for each visit and submits clinical notes to the agency on a daily basis.
• Completes all required hospice assigned modules in the online learning management system and attends assigned in-services on a monthly basis.
• Able to function as Bereavement Coordinator and supervise the provision of bereavement services reflective of patient|family needs if needed.
• Assists the patient, significant others, physician and health care team staff to understand significant personal, emotional, environmental and social factors related to the patient's health status on an as needed basis.
• Able to be alternate social work to other agencies in state when needed.
• Contributes as a health care team member to the development of a comprehensive, integrated Plan of Care for patients on a daily basis.
• Instructs health care team members on community resources available to assist patients on an as needed basis.
• Collaborates with hospitals and community agencies to promote continuity of care on an as needed basis.
• Assesses social and emotional factors related to patient's illness to determine ability to cope with daily living problems on as needed basis.
• Assists the patient and significant others to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations on as needed basis.
• Functions as preceptor and mentor for new hire social workers through orientation, on-going education, and completes discipline-specific annual competencies as needed.
• Assist with Social Work and Bereavement Policy development and revisions.
• Provides quarterly education to Hospice staff related to psychosocial issues.
• Facilitate monthly caregiver support groups

License Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or Bachelor's Degree in psychology, sociology, or other field related to social work and supervised by MSW.
• One year of social work experience in a health care setting.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Current Driver's License, vehicle insurance, and access to a dependable vehicle or public transportation.

Additional State Specific Requirements

• AL, AR, ID, IL, IN, KS, MN, MS, NV, OH, OR, SC, TX, WV: Must be licensed as a Social Worker from the State Board of Social Work.
• LA: Baccalaureate not allowed Master's required.
• MI: Must be licensed as a Social Worker from the State Board of Social Work; or have a Limited Social Worker license practicing under the supervision of a licensed master's social worker.
• NC: Baccalaureate degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education or a baccalaureate degree in psychology, counseling, or psychiatric nursing.
• VA: Baccalaureate degree of major studies in social work, sociology, or psychology from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and at least two years' experience in case work or counseling in a health care setting.
• WA: Baccalaureate degree from a social work educational program accredited by the council on social work education. If not licensed as a social worker, Agency Affiliated Counselor credential is required.
• WI: Certified/Licensed in Social Work from the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board of Wisconsin.
• AZ, GA, MO, NJ, PA: Bachelor's degree from a school of Social Work accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.
• CA, CO, OK, TN: No other state specific requirements.