Social Worker, Hospice | Helena, MT

Social Worker - Hospice

LOCATION: Helena, MT

JOB TYPE: Full-Time Permanent

We are recruiting a compassionate Hospice Social Worker to join a growing hospice organization serving patients and families. The position is based in Gillette, WY and involves providing services to patients primarily in their homes and other residential care settings.

 

This is an opportunity for a social worker who values meaningful relationships and wants to support patients and their loved ones through one of life's most important transitions. You will work closely with an interdisciplinary hospice team while helping patients and families navigate the emotional, social, practical, and financial challenges that can accompany end-of-life care.

 

As a Hospice Social Worker, you will:

• Assess the psychosocial needs of hospice patients and their families or caregivers and communicate findings with the interdisciplinary care team.
• Provide counseling and emotional support related to terminal illness, grief, caregiver stress, coping, and end-of-life concerns.
• Evaluate family dynamics, caregiver resources, communication challenges, safety concerns, and other factors that may affect the patient's care.
• Provide crisis intervention and connect patients and families with appropriate community resources when needed.
• Help patients and families understand and prepare advance directives and other end-of-life planning documents.
• Assist families with practical concerns related to financial resources, legal considerations, funeral planning, and healthcare decision-making.
• Serve as a liaison between patients, families, healthcare professionals, and community organizations.
• Participate in the development and ongoing review of individualized hospice plans of care.
• Attend interdisciplinary team meetings and provide insight into the social and emotional factors affecting patients and their families.
• Maintain accurate and timely social work assessments, progress notes, and other required documentation.
• Support bereavement services, including grief assessments and follow-up with family members after a patient's passing.
• Assist with coordination of volunteer services, including recruitment, education, and connecting volunteers with appropriate opportunities.
• Educate members of the care team regarding individual patient and family needs, preferences, traditions, and other factors that may influence care.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and other activities that support excellent hospice care.

 

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work from an accredited program required; Master's degree in Social Work preferred.
• At least one year of healthcare-related social work experience preferred.
• Hospice, palliative care, home health, geriatric, or end-of-life care experience is highly valued.
• Understanding of hospice philosophy and comfort supporting patients and families through serious illness, grief, death, and dying.
• Strong communication, counseling, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with nurses, physicians, aides, chaplains, and other members of the hospice team.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and appropriate automobile insurance for travel to patient locations.