Hospice Medical Social Worker (PRN)

Description

Westminster at Home is seeking a Social Worker to join our team. This position would be PRN, as needed. 

The Hospice Medical Social Worker is responsible for the implementation of professional standards of care for medical social work hospice services. Also is responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining a bereavement program to meet the needs of families/caregivers from Senior Independence Hospice for thirteen months following the death of the individual hospice patient.  

Is knowledgeable of and supports the philosophy, purpose, and goals and policies of Senior Independence and consistently complies with the Hospice Client Bill of Rights.

• Assess the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient's terminal illness and environment. Provide an assessment in the patient's identified residence and assistance when this is not safe, and another plan is required. 
• Carries out social evaluations and plans intervention based on evaluation findings. Counsel patients and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, bereavement, and other identified coping difficulties. May receive request for social work consultation anytime, day or night, via telephone or in-person visit.
• Collaborate with other disciplines, suggest and/or process internal or external referrals in order to meet the comprehensive needs of the clients.
• Coordinates the assessment and delivery of grief counseling needs and services (one-to-one, groups, and ongoing follow-up) to ensure timely and appropriate services are provided to family/caregivers.
• Maintains clinical records on all patients referred to Social Work.
• Provides information and referral services for organizational patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs. Provides information to patients and families/caregivers and community agencies. Serves as liaison between patients and families/caregivers and community agencies. Provides bereavement information and referral services to callers from the community. Expands and maintains the community resource list as needed. 
• Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care. Participates in the development of the plan of care and attends case conferences weekly. Assists the physician and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues. 

Requirements

• Current Social Work license in the State of Virginia
• A graduate of a Master’s program in social work (MSW) accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, with one year of experience preferred.  
• Minimum qualification is a Bachelor's in social work, psychology, sociology, or other related field AND 1 year of experience AND supervised by an MSW.
• Bachelor’s in social work AND employed by hospice before December 2, 2008.
• Experience in Hospice preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience in health care, home health, or hospice. Understands hospice philosophy and issues of death/dying.
• Knowledge of medical terms and terminology desirable.
• Have basic computer literacy with experience using Windows-based programs preferred

Westminster Canterbury of Lynchburg is committed to best practices for infection control; therefore, we will require all team members to receive the influenza and recommend COVID-19 vaccines.