Social Worker

Position Summary

The Social Worker works under the direction of a physician. He/she functions as an active member of the health team in accordance with the physician's orders and the written plan of care and provides patient services in accordance with the hospice philosophy. He/She assists the Interdisciplinary Team in understanding the significant social, emotional, and cultural factors related to a terminal illness.  The SW conducts psychosocial assessments and evaluations and provides emotional counseling to patients/families.  

Qualifications

1. Masters Degree from a school accredited or approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

2. L.C.S.W. preferred but not required..

3. One year of social work experience in a health care setting required.

4. Clinical experience relevant to the psychosocial needs of patients and families.

5. Effective oral/written and interpersonal communication skills.

6. Knowledge of psychosocial theories and use of psychosocial treatment techniques.

7. Knowledge of beliefs and practices of cultures related to death and dying.

8. Valid California driver's license and auto insurance.

9. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality concerning patient and family information.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following non-inclusive list. Other duties may be assigned. Nothing in this job description reflects management’s right to assign or reassign duties to this job at anytime. All duties are to be performed in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and Hospice of the Valleys policies and procedures.

1. Perform patient psychosocial assessments to augment existing services and contributes to the plan of treatment.

2. Report changes in the patient’s conditions and needs to the RN Case Coordinator or Director of Patient Care Services.

3. Observe for safety hazards in the patient’s and organization’s environments and takes appropriate steps to reduce or eliminate them.

4. Assist the physician and other members of the health team in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to the patient's terminal illness.

5. Assess for suicide risk, mental capacity, elder and/or dependent adult abuse and takes appropriate action..

6. Assist in completion of advance directives, mortuary arrangements, funeral planning or facility placement.

7. Provide assistance to staff and patient/family in ascertaining third party and financial resources and planning for financial coverage for services.

8. Provide information and referral to appropriate community resources and/or legal entities.

9. Advise and counsel hospice staff, patients and families, or community agencies in management of emergency situations/crises.

10. Provide consultation and education to community to increase knowledge related to the hospice and serves as information source and education resource person to community, agency personnel and volunteers as appropriate.

11. Maintain continuing education through academic studies, seminars, and workshops.

12. Attend and participate in in-services, staff meetings and case conferences.

13. Complete all documentation in an accurate, legible manner and in the timeframe required by standards and regulations.

The above statement reflects the general duties considered necessary to describe the principle functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that maybe inherent in the job.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, feel or grasp and talk or hear. The employee is continuously required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is continuously required to stand, and walk. The employee is frequently required to bend, stoop, stretch and climb up to two (2) hours per day. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds from floor to waist and waist to shoulder. The employee must be able to drive a car to patient home 2-4 hours per day. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision to distance.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

To apply for this position, please send your resume to humanresources@hovsc.org