Counselor - Social Worker - ECF

Qualification Requirements

• Has a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; OR, has a Bachelor's degree in social work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work and 1 year of social work experience in a health-related facility.
• Currently licensed as a social worker in Ohio; must be able to obtain a license in the state of Michigan.
• Has working experience charting in an EMR system, Netsmart system preferred.
• Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills; possesses strong interviewing and listening skills.
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of local and state human service agencies.
• Demonstrates strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills.
• Has the ability to work independently and within an interdisciplinary team. Must be flexible and adaptable to change.
• Understands the hospice philosophy and principles of death/dying.
• Demonstrates the ability to seek, form and foster an effective collaborative caregiving partnership with the nursing facility staff.
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to the unique mission and culture of each facility environment.
• Possesses a valid driver's license with an automobile in good working order that is insured according to agency requirements.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive initial and ongoing psychosocial assessments on referred patients/families in the nursing facilities including mental health status, sexuality, spirituality, risk and methods of coping.
• Work collaboratively with facility staff in assessing patient/family members for risk related to abuse/neglect and suicide and those with active or past substance abuse.
• Responds in a timely manner to the patient, family and needs of the facility and delivers effective services in the nursing facilities.
• Provides effective counseling approaches and processes for patients and families, including therapeutic and supportive interventions, patient/family life education, life review, crisis intervention and suicide prevention when indicated.
• Actively participates in the development and implementation of the Plan of Care after collaborating with the hospice interdisciplinary team and the facility team, including patients and families with the most complex psychosocial needs.
• Utilizes the principles of case management in delivering effective services for a caseload of hospice patients and families in the facility setting.
• Conducts reassessments of patient/family needs and counseling as prescribed in the Interdisciplinary Team Plan of Care.
• Assesses and refers for ongoing bereavement services.
• Responsible for end-of-life care planning including knowledge of DPOA, living wills, provision of care for dependents, assessing decision capacity, and funeral planning.
• Facilitates family support groups as needed.
• Actively contributes psychosocial information at the Interdisciplinary Team meeting and interacts with other team members in a professional manner.
• Develops and maintains contact with appropriate community agencies and services in order to promote interagency cooperation and to facilitate related referrals.
• Maintains effective communication with the appropriate team members and supervisors regarding patient care issues.
• Responsible for discharge planning as prescribed in the Interdisciplinary Team Plan of Care and in collaboration with facility social workers and ECF team.
• Documents comprehensive assessments, appropriate goals, interventions provided, and patient/family response to those interventions (obtained through direct patient/family contacts, telephone contacts and referrals) clearly and concisely for the patient medical record. Meets agency standards for clinical documentation.
• Maintains infection control practices as related to patient care activities.
• Maintains the standards of Social Work in accordance with the principles set forth by the Ohio State Health Departments, NASW, Joint Commission, NHO, OHO and agency policies and procedures.
• Maintains productivity standards defined by the agency.
• Works with diverse cultures, life styles, children and adolescents, and acute and chronic mental illness, and substance abuse.
• Participates in the QAPI program, orientation, professional student education, and other activities as assigned.
• Participates in in-services or other continuing education to meet own needs and agency requirements.
• Responsible to learn and utilize technology made available by the agency to increase efficiency, communication and performance of duties.
• Attends staff meetings and completes all mandatory training.
• Holds in strictest confidence all patient information and discloses information and data only to persons authorized by Hospice.
• Performs other duties as assigned