Hospice Clinical Social Worker

Under general supervision, conducts assessments, develops and implements care plans, provides counseling and support to patients and their family (including children) around dying process, coping, and planning. Assesses needs and links to community resources. Integral member of the Interdisciplinary team.

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work from a university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Experience

Two + years of experience in a health care setting. Previous hospice experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to effectively collaborate with interdisciplinary team in providing patient care
• Ability to manage time well and perform assigned duties with attention to detail
• Must possess professional image, positive attitude, enthusiasm, and self-motivation
• Comfortable in maintaining professional boundaries
• Strong self-awareness
• Culturally humble, curious and open to learning about diverse backgrounds
• Proficient computer skills
• Knowledgeable about community resources as well as diligent in researching a wide array of resources including those related to financial benefits
• Demonstrates empathy and compassion
• Effective time management
• Highly organized
• Knowledge of self-care, personal boundaries; abilities, limits and inner resources
• Analytical skills necessary to assess client needs, to establish a plan of care and to implement appropriate interventions
• Ability to function independently and effectively anticipate needs and problems

Licensures, Certifications

• Licensed in the State of Maryland as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C). Advanced licensure for LMSWs is required within 3 years of the start date.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervises social work interns as assigned
• LCSW-C Social Workers may supervise social workers with a LMSW as assigned
• Conducts biopsychosocial assessments of the patient and family as the basis for care planning
• Develops and maintains therapeutic relationships
• Addresses the emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs of the patient and family related to the patient’s illness, need for care, response to treatment and adjustment to care.
• Provides individual and family counseling specific to the disease process, coping, and planning.
• Provides psychosocial education to patients and their family members regarding coping strategies and techniques to manage stress, pain, and other symptoms of illness
• Conducts a comprehensive needs assessment and assists patients and family members with referrals and linkage to services in the community
• Supports the patient and their family through dying process
• Assures that a patient’s end of life wishes are met through education and helps to capture their wishes in legal documents such as MOLST and advanced directives
• Assesses and addresses caregiving resources and needs
• Conducts crisis intervention including suicide assessment and prevention
• Conducts bereavement care and grief counseling, including anticipatory responses to and processing grief
• Facilitates smooth transition from care environments
• Assists with discharge planning
• Participates in interdisciplinary group meetings
• Participates on committees as appropriate or assigned
• Educates staff during IDTs about mental health issues, family dynamics, or psychosocial factors impacting care.
• Advises IDT members of the maintenance of appropriate and therapeutic boundaries
• Debriefs difficult cases or deaths within the IDT
• Participates in monthly or bimonthly structured peer case conferences or group therapy
• Participates in supervision as dictated by the Board of Social Work Examiners regulations
• Assists with orientation of new employees
• Participates in the on-call rotation and provides after-hours and holiday coverage as specified by needs of the agency.
• Identifies and reports abuse and neglect as mandated by law
• Assures patient safety
• Creates timely and accurate documentation
• Adheres to Gilchrist standards and facilitates continuously improved processes and services
• Adheres to high standards of personal and professional conduct

Physical Requirements

• Physical ability to drive in rural, suburban, and urban areas to access client homes for up to 50% of the workday and to access client homes by walking, climbing stairs, etc.

Working Condit