Social Worker

HELP FOR HEALTH
JOB DESCRIPTION
 
JOB TITLE:              Social Worker/Social Services
REPORTS TO:         Clinical Director
PURPOSE/SUMMARY:
The social worker provides supportive and psychosocial services to help meet social, emotional and economic needs of terminally ill patients and family members enrolled in Help for Health Hospice. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and posses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the policies and procedures.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Take referrals; (provides benefit explanations, assists in admission process).
2. Ensure compliance with Federal, State and Local Rules and Regulations.
3. Attends bimonthly Interdisciplinary Team Meetings.
4. Completes a psychosocial assessment of the patient/family unit, including social and emotional factors, assess the patient/family ability to cope with the terminal illness and impending death.
5. Establishes a social work care plan, with evaluations and revisions as indicated.
6. Coordinates with hospice interdisciplinary team members to develop and implement the plan of care.
7. Provides supportive services to the patient/family experiencing emotional, social or economic conflict related to the terminal illness. Provides appropriate social work services to the family after the death of the patient as part of the bereavement program.
8. Provide education regarding grief and loss to patient/family and staff.
9. Discharge planning from hospice if/when care is no longer indicated.
10. Identification of resource needs, including financial and pschycosocial: Assesses patient/family financial resources, needs and obligations; identifying appropriate resources as indicated. Assists the patient, family and staff in identifying and utilizing community resources.
11. Consults with nursing staff and volunteers regarding patient care issues: Assists team members in understanding the significant social and emotional factors related to care of the terminally ill patient and the family.
12. Complete bereavement services assessment/referral on patients served. Provides follow-up services as defined in the program.
13. Oversees and coordinates all activities of the Bereavement Services Program.
14. Coordinates the Hospice Bereavement Program with plans of care, monthly tracking forms, staff reminder notices, mailings, (personal letters and educational information), bereavement book tracking/plan of care updates, and acts as liaison with staff regarding follow-up expectations.
15. Does outreach work within the community with referrals from physicians, employees, mental health providers and schools.
16. Oversee educational needs for staff and/or patient/families
17. Supervises bereavement volunteers; assists in interviewing and screening; Participate in volunteer training; Assist Volunteer Coordinator in determining educational needs, program changes, etc.
18. Facilitates bereavement support group(s)
19. Provides Hospice staff training on hospice related issues. Participates in orientation and in-service training programs for professional staff as requested.
20. Participates in agency and community education programs as requested.
21. Participates in the development of programs for the community including fundraising and memorial service
22. Accepts other assignments as may be appropriate.