Social Worker

Overview

Responsibilities

• Assists the physician and other members of the care team in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to the patient’s health problems.
•  Assesses the social and emotional factors within 5 days of admission in order to estimate the patient’s and family’s capacity and potential to cope with the problems of daily living and with the terminal illness.
• Helps the patient and family to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations and provide services planned to assist the patient and family in achieving the optimum social and health adjustment within their capacity.
• Utilizes all available resources, such as family and community agencies, to assist the patient and family to live better within the limitations of the illness.
•  Observes, records, and reports social and emotional changes.
• Documents all services in the patient’s clinical record.
• Participates as a member of the Interdisciplinary team and actively participates in the development and review of the plan of care for assigned patients.
• Participates in ongoing educational programs.
• Participates on committees and performs other duties and special projects as assigned.
• Completes all required documentation in a timely manner according to Good Shepherd Hospice policies and procedures.
• Supports staff with loss and patient/family issues.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient/family status.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from a school of social work (MSW) accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or; 
•  Has a baccalaureate degree in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and is supervised by an MSW or;
• Has a baccalaureate degree in psychology, sociology, or other field related to social work and is supervised by an MSW.
•  Must be licensed in the state where care is being delivered. (if required.
•  At least one year of social work experience in a health care setting.
•  Demonstrated commitment to the hospice philosophy of care.

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