Social Worker - Hospice, Full Time, Day

Start the day excited to make a difference...end the day knowing you did. Come join our team.

Our hospice team is comprised of multiple interdisciplinary team members, all focused on the individual goals of the patients we serve. Striving for quality of life when a patient is terminal, we remain committed to treating the whole patient, their family members, and caregivers.

Job Summary:

The Hospice & Palliative Care Services are a collaborative interdisciplinary care delivery model which assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates options and services to meet an individual's health needs with focus on symptom management, comfort and quality of life treatment/care decisions through communication and available resources to promote quality. The Hospice/Palliative Care Medical Social Worker will support the mission, vision, values and strategic initiatives of Mary Washington Healthcare and Hospice and Palliative Care Services, and will demonstrate a commitment of quality service to our patients, the public and our co-workers. This position is accountable for psycho-social assessments and provision of medical social services for the patient and family, in accordance with the interdisciplinary plan of care. The incumbent in this position will be responsible for compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations governing the privacy and of patients' protected health information.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Involved in identifying patients for Palliative/Hospice social work services through collaboration and communication with Palliative/Hospice interdisciplinary team and appropriately opens case for active social work services.
• Participates in Hospice admission processes at inpatient LOC and provides Hospice assessment and information to referred patients and families.
• Provides counseling to patient/family if indicated, to facilitate adjustment to illness.
• Provides consultation to all Hospice staff, Palliative care unit and hospital staff.
• Facilitates effective interdisciplinary Hospice and Palliative care planning and coordination through participation in Interdisciplinary Rounds on Palliative care units and with Grand Rounds/or Hospice Interdisciplinary team.
• Serves as a role model and mentor for clinical effectiveness initiatives in Palliative/Hospice care. Uses communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills to identify and resolve obstacles to timely testing, treatment or transition to the appropriate level of care.
• Promotes clinical effectiveness through the identification of process barriers and system issues that impede transition to Palliative and/or Hospice care. Initiates process improvement efforts using an interdisciplinary team approach.
• Assists in the development of process and outcome measurements to trend performance improvement over time.
• Responds as soon as possible to inpatient Hospice and Palliative care consults and referrals by documenting opening note with preliminary needs assessment and goals for care within of receipt of consult/referral during regular work schedule.
• Successfully interviews patients and family members to comprehensively assess the patient's health status, risk factors, lifestyle choices, functional status, psychosocial status, personal and community support systems, financial resources, goals of care and home environmental conditions.
• In conjunction with the patient, family, physician and interdisciplinary team, develops a safe and effective transition plan to meet the patient's Hospice and Palliative care needs upon hospital discharge.
• Maintains active and ongoing communication with all stakeholders during the hospital stay and revises the discharge plan accordingly.
• Participates in coverage for holidays and weekends on a rotational basis per Hospice standard.
• Facilitates an inpatient Palliative/Hospice Support group for patient's families.
• Attends Hospice IDT weekly and contributes to the Hospice team on updates on inpatients and potential patients.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work from an accredited program, with LSW licensure required OR Masters degree in Social Work from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
• Two years experience in an acute care hospital setting is preferred. Knowledge and experience in Palliative care, end-of-life and Hospice care.
• Experience with computer technology preferred - experience with Windows based programs, e-mail, Microsoft Word, keyboarding.
• Demonstrated abilities for self-management, critical thinking, problem resolution, interdisciplinary communication and proven ability to work with diverse personalities and situations.
• AHA BLS Provider CPR required at hire

As an EOE/AA employer, the organization will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.