The Medical Social Worker works as a member of the Interdisciplinary Group to:

• Assess the psychosocial/spiritual needs of patient/family
• Supervise and/or provide social service activities as related to terminally ill patients and their families, including planning, treatment and consultation with other staff
• Evaluate patient insurance coverage and financial status and refer to appropriate agencies for assistance
• Assist in the development and implementation of the patient/family Plan of Care
• Complete the Initial Psychosocial Assessment within 5 calendar days of patients admission
• Complete the Initial Spiritual Assessment and Pre-Bereavement Assessment within 5 calendar days of patients admission, as required
• Provide counseling of patients/families and hospice staff as needed
• Participate in bereavement follow-up services as required
• Maintain adequate and complete records of all activities and services provided to patient/families
• Assist  in the orientation and training of volunteers, staff, physicians and  community members
• Assist  in the development of support groups and other special programs as necessary
• Participate in CQI and Utilization Review programs
• Works  as a team member
• Participate in after hours rotation as requested
• Other  duties as assigned

Education and experience:

• Education: Social Work (LMSW) degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or Baccalaureate degree in social work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or Baccalaureate degree in psychology, sociology, or other field related to social work and is supervised by an LMSW; and has 1 (one) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting; or Baccalaureate degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, is employed by the Hospice before December 2, 2008 and is not required to be supervised by an LMSW.
• Licensure: Licensed as required by the state where practicing. Current driver’s license
• Experience: One (1) year of experience in palliative care or hospice preferred.
• Skills: Working knowledge of community resources. Good interpersonal skills. Demonstrates ability to work with computers.

Physical Requirements:

1. Environmental and Working Conditions: Works in patient homes in various conditions; possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and infectious diseases; ability to work a flexible schedule; ability to travel locally; some exposure to unpleasant weather; PRN emergency calls.
2. Physical and Mental Effort: Prolonged standing and walking required, with the ability to lift up to 50lbs and move patients. It requires working under some stressful conditions to meet deadlines and patient needs, make quick decisions and resource acquisition, and meet patient/family individualized psychosocial needs. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
3. Ability to communicate with patients, families, physicians, co-workers, and visitors to be able to exchange accurate information regarding patient condition and health status. Ability to exchange and express information utilizing language and communicate information effectively.
4. Ability to hear the nature of sounds. Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
5. Ability to make independent judgments and decisions. Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or problem approaches.
6. Ability to view tablet and electronic Health Records and review, assess, record, or type data quickly and accurately.
7. Ability to travel to patient homes and office/support center locations to deliver care or for education.

This description is a general statement of essential functions that are required to be performed regularly and continuously. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.