Hospice Medical Social Worker

The Highlands At Wyomissing•Wyomissing, PA

About The Position

We’re seeking a Hospice Social Worker to support patients and families through end‑of‑life care, providing counseling, advocacy, and psychosocial assessments as part of a compassionate interdisciplinary hospice team. The Hospice Social Worker is a professional member of the interdisciplinary group who is responsible to assessing patient and family factors to estimate capacity to cope with diseases, terminal-illness, and death. The Hospice Social Worker communicates with the interdisciplinary team as needed for updates to patient and family status. Ensures growth & profitability of the company through the responsible use of company resources and educating the community to our services. Apply the policies & procedures of the agency & the rules & regulations of federal & state regulatory agencies & other certified agencies in providing care.

Requirements

Proficiency with electronic devices. The Hospice Social Worker will be provided with a Microsoft Surface Tablet and Apple iPhone for timely communication and documentation
Ability to convey ideas clearly in written and verbal form
Ability to provide therapeutic and compassionate care while navigating complex psychosocial dynamics
Ability to problem-solve and formulate unique approaches to the provision and implementation of services and support
Collaborate social work plan of care and pertinent findings with interdisciplinary team members
Ability to be flexible to meet patient and family needs
High school Diploma or GED (Required)
Master’s degree in social work from an accredited institution (Required)
Completion of the Highlands Hearthstone Ambassador training within 30 days of employment (Required)
Medical Screening
Criminal History Clearance
FBI Fingerprint Clearance (Only required if you have not lived in PA for the last 2 years)
Immigration and naturalization (I-9) Clearance
Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License and acceptable MVR (if operating company vehicle)

Nice To Haves

PA State Licensure (Preferred)
1 year social worker experience (Preferred)

Responsibilities

Completes an initial, comprehensive, and ongoing assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs and appropriate resources.
Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by:
Developing, writing, and initiating a Psychosocial plan of care.
Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs.
Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary.
Participates in regularly scheduled interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate the care of the Patient and family, exchange information and problem solve, and receive staff support and in-service information.
Provides counseling and support to family and Patient for crisis intervention, preparing Advance Directives, funeral planning, issues involving transfer of fiscal, legal and health care responsibilities, community resources and bereavement needs.
Assesses patients for existing mental disorders, stress, suicide risks.
Assesses caregiver’s ability to function adequately.
Assesses need for counseling related to risk assessment for pathological grief.
Assesses special needs related to cultural diversity including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions. Assesses and evaluates Patients’ level of care needs and caregiver needs for respite care.
Assesses emotional factors related to terminal illness.
Assesses bereavement needs.
Assists in discharge planning from hospitals to homes.
Assists in nursing home placement of patients.
Evaluates for long-term care when appropriate and assesses the ability to accept a change in level of care.
Identifies Patient/family needs when discharged or when level of care changes.
Communicates psychosocial information about patient/family to the facility when there is a level of care change.
Identifies obstacles to compliance and assists in understanding goals of interventions.
Identifies support systems available to reduce stress and facilitate coping with end-of-life care.
Identifies the developmental level of patient/family and obstacles to learning or ability to participate in the care of patients.
Assists Patient/family in assessing financial resources when appropriate.
Evaluates Patient’s insurance coverage and pursues options for financial assistance if needed.
Submits paperwork in a timely manner to update and maintain Patient medical records.
Provides counseling to hospice staff.
Participates in agency quality improvement programs (QAPI).
Provides community programs concerning hospice and related issues of loss & illness.
Meets or exceeds established productivity standards.
Adheres to established personnel policies.
Addresses Patient/family questions and issues.
Evaluates Patient/family response to interventions when referred to a community agency and satisfaction of the service provided.
Ensures that all care is provided with respect for patient rights.
Reports all grievances and complaints made by patients or families to the appropriate people.
Reports all allegations of patient abuse and/or misappropriation of patient.
Participate in and complete all required ongoing training, including monthly online and in-person training, annual skills competencies education, and role-specific certifications, to ensure continued competence and adherence to organizational and regulatory standards.