Hospice Medical Social Worker

Make a difference when it matters most.

We're seeking a Hospice Social Worker to support patients and families through end‑of‑life care, providing counseling, advocacy, and psychosocial assessments as part of a compassionate interdisciplinary hospice team.

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Hospice Social Worker is a professional member of the interdisciplinary group who is responsible to assessing patient and family factors to estimate capacity to cope with diseases, terminal-illness, and death. The Hospice Social Worker communicates with the interdisciplinary team as needed for updates to patient and family status. Ensures growth & profitability of the company through the responsible use of company resources and educating the community to our services. Apply the policies & procedures of the agency & the rules & regulations of federal & state regulatory agencies & other certified agencies in providing care.

Essential Functions/Duties:

• Completes an initial, comprehensive, and ongoing assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs and appropriate resources.

• Assesses and evaluates patient's status by:

• Developing, writing, and initiating a Psychosocial plan of care.

• Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs.

• Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary.

• Participates in regularly scheduled interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate the care of the Patient and family, exchange information and problem solve, and receive staff support and in-service information.

• Provides counseling and support to family and Patient for crisis intervention, preparing Advance Directives, funeral planning, issues involving transfer of fiscal, legal and health care responsibilities, community resources and bereavement needs.

• Assesses patients for existing mental disorders, stress, suicide risks.

• Assesses caregiver's ability to function adequately.

• Assesses need for counseling related to risk assessment for pathological grief.

• Assesses special needs related to cultural diversity including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions. Assesses and evaluates Patients' level of care needs and caregiver needs for respite care.

• Assesses emotional factors related to terminal illness.

• Assesses bereavement needs.

• Assists in discharge planning from hospitals to homes.

• Assists in nursing home placement of patients.

• Evaluates for long-term care when appropriate and assesses the ability to accept

• a change in level of care.

• Identifies Patient/family needs when discharged or when level of care changes.

• Communicates psychosocial information about patient/family to the facility when there is a level of care change.

• Identifies obstacles to compliance and assists in understanding goals of interventions.

• Identifies support systems available to reduce stress and facilitate coping with end-of-life care.

• Identifies the developmental level of patient/family and obstacles to learning or ability to participate in the care of patients.

• Assists Patient/family in assessing financial resources when appropriate.

• Evaluates Patient's insurance coverage and pursues options for financial assistance if needed.

• Submits paperwork in a timely manner to update and maintain Patient medical records.

• Provides counseling to hospice staff.

• Participates in agency quality improvement programs (QAPI).

• Provides community programs concerning hospice and related issues of loss & illness.

• Meets or exceeds established productivity standards.

• Adheres to established personnel policies.

• Addresses Patient/family questions and issues.

• Evaluates Patient/family response to interventions when referred to a community agency and satisfaction of the service provided.

• Ensures that all care is provided with respect for patient rights.

• Reports all grievances and complaints made by patients or families to the appropriate people.

• Reports all allegations of patient abuse and/or misappropriation of patient.

• Participate in and complete all required ongoing training, including monthly online and in-person training, annual skills competencies education, and role-specific certifications, to ensure continued competence and adherence to organizational and regulatory standards.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency with electronic devices. The Hospice Social Worker will be provided with a Microsoft Surface Tablet and Apple iPhone for timely communication and documentation
• Ability to convey ideas clearly in written and verbal form
• Ability to provide therapeutic and compassionate care while navigating complex psychosocial dynamics
• Ability to problem-solve and formulate unique approaches to the provision and implementation of services and support
• Collaborate social work plan of care and pertinent findings with interdisciplinary team members
• Ability to be flexible to meet patient and family needs

Core Values:

• AMBASSADOR: Represents The Highlands at Wyomissing in a positive light with integrity. Takes pride in our community.
• COMMITMENT: Dedicated, adaptable, tolerant, dependable, focused, and passionate. Often does more than is required. Reports to work as scheduled and timely.
• COMPASSIONATE: Is empathetic, mindful, and kind.
• INNOVATIVE: Is curious. Identifies new methods and efficiencies.
• RESULTS-DRIVEN: Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and completing work. Exerts unusual effort over time to achieve a goal. Maintains commitment to goals in the face of obstacles and frustrations.
• TEAM ORIENTED: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.

The Highlands' Traditions (Customer Service Expectations):

• SAFETY: Practices safe behaviors to ensure the safety of all.
• KINDNESS: Projects a positive image and energy. Courteous and respectful to all. Goes above and beyond to exceed customer expectations.
• SHOW: Takes pride in self-appearance. Stays in "character" and performs the "role in the show." Ensures work area is show-ready.
• EFFICIENCY: Performs role with consistency and efficiency. Uses time and resources wisely.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• The Hospice Social Worker position is non-exempt. Standard days and hours of work are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
• Holidays are covered on a rotating schedule.

Travel:

• Travel may be expected for this position, including some local travel in the communities surrounding The Highlands campus.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High school Diploma or GED (Required)
• Master's degree in social work from an accredited institution (Required)
• PA State Licensure (Preferred)
• 1 year social worker experience (Preferred)
• Completion of the Highlands Hearthstone Ambassador training within 30 days of employment (Required)

Work Authorization/Security Clearances:

• Medical Screening
• Criminal History Clearance
• FBI Fingerprint Clearance (Only required if you have not lived in PA for the last 2 years)
• Immigration and naturalization (I-9) Clearance
• Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License and acceptable MVR (if operating company vehicle)

Physical Requirements and Physical Demands:

• While performing duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to climb, kneel, pull with force, reach above head, reach above shoulder, push/pull (up to 100+ lbs.), lift from floor level up, lift from waist level up, lift above shoulders/head, ability to lift, push, pull with assistance (mechanical or co-worker) the weight of the average patient specific to department, Lifting 25 lbs. maximum and frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs.

Safety Hazards and Physical Environment:

• May be exposed to blood borne pathogens - High Risk
• May be exposed to communicable diseases
• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts
• May be exposed to potential electrical shock
• May be exposed to toxic, caustic, chemicals, and / or detergents
• May be exposed to rare occasions during which it is necessary to interact with a resident exhibiting aggressive behavior.