Medical Social Worker On Call

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/Medicaidbenefit 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:

Masters degree or bachelors 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 drivers license