Social Worker/Bereavement Coordinator

About the position

The Social Worker and Bereavement Coordinator 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 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. The Social Worker utilizes community resources and the interdisciplinary team 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.
• Articulates the regulatory framework governing the role of the Social Worker (federal and state, if applicable).
• Reads and incorporates into practice the policies and procedures for Compassus in the provision of care and services to hospice patients.
• 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.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment to promote the values of hospice and of Compassus.
• 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.
• Supervises social work practicum student.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Reads and incorporates into practice the policies and procedures for Compassus in the provision of care and services to hospice patients.
• Participates as a member of the IDT, including development and implementation of the plan of care.
• Works with the hospice Social Worker in the completion and analysis of the pre-bereavement risk assessment and care plan development for the patient and the family.
• Promotes and supports assessment of bereavement risk factors at admission and throughout the hospice patient's care.
• Develops and implements the bereavement plan of care after the death of the patient.
• Identifies the needs of non-family caregivers, including staff and residents at nursing facilities where the patient may have resided, and ensures bereavement support for them.
• Assists in identifying the need for intervention of other IDT members.
• Effectively communicates patient and family needs to IDT.
• Provides education about bereavement services to members of the IDT.
• Recognizes issues or concerns and escalates appropriately.
• Prepares reports, in-services, and other documents to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of the bereavement program as requested.
• Delivers high quality bereavement support, either with internal resources or through outreach to community resources when needed.
• Develops, organizes and delivers grief support groups either independently or in association with other grief support resources in the community.
• Maintains a resource library of materials appropriate to various bereaved individuals, including those with high-risk or disenfranchised grief - provides materials as part of routine bereavement contacts and upon request.
• Documents care and services provided according to state and/or federal requirements.
• Works with Volunteer Coordinator to identify opportunities for volunteers to participate in bereavement support activities.
• Attends and participates in community events, promoting Compassus and the universal need for grief and bereavement support.
• Develops and performs public service announcements regarding grief and bereavement.
• Provides bereavement counseling and support, based on personal qualifications, when needed.
• Develops and delivers memorial services for program patients.
• Develops and supports delivery of memorial services for patients of nursing facilities served by the program.
• Participates in funeral or other memorial services if requested by family.
• Manages expenses of bereavement program.
• 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.
• Will require supervisory oversight by MSW for hospice patient care planning and counseling needs.
• 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.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in the provision of grief, loss and/or bereavement support for individuals and families required.
• Equivalent combination of specialized training, education, and experience may be considered.

Benefits

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our Pillars of Success.
• We are committed to creating a fair work environment where our team members feel welcomed, highly valued, and respected.