Hospice Social Worker

Compassus - Southaven, MS

Southaven, MS

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities

About the position

The Hospice Social Worker is responsible for modeling the Compassus values of Compassion, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, and Innovation and for promoting the Compassus philosophy, using the 6 Pillars of Success as the foundation. S/he is responsible for upholding the Code of Ethical Conduct and for promoting positive working relationships within the company, among all departments, and all external stakeholders. The Hospice Social Worker provides preventive, educational, and evaluative and treatment services to meet the psychosocial needs of patients and their families, to help them improve, restore, and maintain their maximum level of coping. S/he utilizes community resources and the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to aid in this process.

Responsibilities

• Explains hospice services and Medicare benefits to patients and families; obtains Informed Consent and Election of Benefits documents as requested.
• Submits appropriate documentation and paperwork to facilities at the completion of patient visits; documentation is completed and submitted timely according to company policy.
• Participates as a member of the IDT, including development and implementation of the plan of care.
• Provides psycho-social support and counseling services to the patient and family; supports the involvement of external counseling resources commensurate with patient/family needs and scope of practice.
• Assists in identifying the need for intervention of other IDT members.
• Effectively communicates patient and family needs to IDT.
• Collaborates with IDT to coordinate psycho-social care and support for the patient and family to ensure appropriateness, continuity, and quality of care.
• Maintains updated, comprehensive care plans which reflect current problems, goals and interventions for patients.
• Maintains respect for the family's environment and belief systems, and remains nondiscriminatory regarding age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, and other personal matters.
• Completes initial and ongoing psycho-social assessments for patients; identifies and addresses concerns/issues related to financial means, insurance, living arrangements/placement for long-term care, caregiver stressors, pre-bereavement and anticipatory grief, and community resource needs.
• Facilitates placement in long-term care as warranted and monitors adjustment.
• Participates in care planning meetings at long-term care facilities.
• Supports and facilitates advance planning including living will/POA documents, funeral arrangements, memorial services, and body/organ donation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or other field related to social work with one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting required; and licensure if required by state rules.
• Master's degree in Social Work with one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting highly preferred; and licensure if required by state rules.