License Master Social Worker (LMSW)

This position services the area South of I-10

About us

Established in 1980, Houston Hospice is the oldest, largest, independent non-profit hospice in Greater Houston. Our mission is to provide uncompromising, compassionate, end-of-life care to patients of all ages and their families. We serve 13 counties surrounding the Houston area and are committed to being the highest-quality hospice provider wherever we serve.

At Houston Hospice, we focus on caring, not curing. We take a team approach to care that includes physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, hospice aides, volunteers, and bereavement counselors. We provide hospice service wherever patients and families need us: in their homes, in a long-term care facility, or in our inpatient care unit that is based in the Texas Medical Center. Our team of doctors and nurses specialize in managing pain and symptoms that are unique to life-limiting illnesses. We believe that the most valuable resource to an organization is its Employees. One of the ways we show our appreciation for all their hard work and dedication is by offering competitive pay and a rich benefits package. Our benefit-eligible Employees have the opportunity to participate in:

Summary: Provides detailed psychosocial assessments and social work support services to patients and families. Assists with aspects of the hospice bereavement program as requested.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and family counseling to patient/family and/or bereaved persons.
• Evaluate patient’s/family’s responses to psychosocial interventions and assess need for counseling.
• Identify the developmental level of patient/family/caregiver and obstacles to learning or ability to participate in care of patient/family questions and issues.
• Provide bereavement counseling and programs as appropriate to families, and within community as appropriate.
• Assist hospice care team members in understanding significant psychosocial and emotional factors related to care.
• Responsible for timely completion of paperwork required to meet State and Federal regulations. Documentation should be accurate and detailed to meet these regulations.
• Assess environmental resources and obstacles to maintaining safety.
• Participate in the development and revision of a plan of care, including clinical and progress notes.
• Provide social services including short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention.
• Provide information and preparation of advance directives, funeral planning, issues involving transfer of legal and health care responsibility.
• Identify patient/family needs when discharged or when level of care changes.
• Help develop and provide education in our local communities as the need is identified and as specific requests are made.
• Understands and adheres to organizational compliance and privacy regulatory programs.
• Performs other duties as required and/or requested by management.

Qualifications:

• Social Work undergraduate degree from school of social work accredited or approved by the Council on Social Work Education; Master’s degree preferred.
• Licensed by the State of Texas to practice Social Work.
• Minimum of one-year experience in health care field necessary. Experience in hospice industry preferred.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Superior communication skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent organizational skills to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to accommodate multi-faith beliefs and cultural backgrounds of patients/families.
• Ability to function as part of interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to travel to multi-work locations during workday and evening as needed.
• Must possess reliable, insured vehicle and valid Texas Driver’s license.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal/State laws regarding hospice licensure.