To identify, triage and respond to patient and family needs. On-call social worker should provide responsive social work support for patient and family needs.

This is a part-time role servicing both the Burke and Caldwell areas.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

· Be available by telephone or cellular telephone and respond within 15 minutes 

· Communicate with on-call team members and patient care unit staff on regular basis 

· Evaluate the physical, financial, psychological, spiritual and pre-bereavement needs of the patient/family in coordination with interdisciplinary team 

· Complete patient admission visit and psychosocial admission for new patients 

· Assist in assessing patient appropriateness for services  

· If patient not appropriate, recommend other services available and refer to community agencies as appropriate 

· Educate the patient and family about hospice services  

· Assess the financial resources of the patient and family and instruct them on coverage for hospice services, i.e. hospice Medicare/Medicaid benefit, Medicare, private insurance, as appropriate 

· Report patient/family information to the nurse team coordinator 

· Update primary team on patient status 

· Develop plan of care with goals defined by the patient/family and hospice interdisciplinary team 

· Provide social work services according to patient plan of care  

· Communicate patient changes or family needs to volunteer, chaplain, massage therapist, and minister if applicable 

· Support individual coping mechanisms and facilitate constructive expression of feelings and concerns  

· Provide support at time of death when appropriate  

· Notify volunteer, chaplain/minister and other staff at time of death, if applicable 

· Attend funeral or receiving to provide support to family 

· Other duties as assigned 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:  

· Ability and willingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age or sexual orientation. Must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness and receptiveness. 

· Knowledge of health care systems and policies relevant to hospice population 

· Knowledge and ability of working with end-of-life issues 

· Knowledge and ability to apply therapeutic perspectives (i.e. conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments of patients,  caregivers and families, motivational interviewing, life review, strengths-based perspective, meaning centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, therapeutic arts and music techniques) 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

Education:  

· Master’s degree or bachelor’s degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education preferred  

Experience:  

· Two years of clinical experience preferred 

· Experience in health care preferred 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

· Visual acuity to read written documentation and computer tasks 

· Ability to sit extended periods of time and perform administrative tasks 

· Ability to stand, bend and lift an average of 30 pounds 

· Manual dexterity with the ability to manipulate office equipment and keyboard for extended periods of time 

· Ability to walk, squat, kneel, climb and balance 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  

· Must have an automobile with required insurance coverage and state driver’s license