Social Worker - Hospice and In - Home Palliative Care LMSW

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Work Shift/Schedule:

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

The In-Home Palliative Care (IHPAL) social worker is a professional who works with patients living with serious illness with a life expectancy of 18-24 months. Works in home setting with a strong focus on case management, anticipatory grief support, education and advance care planning for end-of-life. Works with the hospice and IHPAL social services team to support continuity of care across IHPAL and hospice services. The goal of in-home palliative social work is to support patients as they navigate the healthcare system and access the resources they need while living with serious illness.   Some after-hours coverage required.   Travels throughout a 15 county service area.  

Job Summary

Evaluates patients/families appropriateness for care and individual psychosocial needs. Develops plan of care in coordination with Interdisciplinary Team and provides social services as applicable through the performance of a variety of services, interventions and modalities. Cares for neonate, infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric age clients. Performs clinical duties in accordance with population specific guidelines as outlined in policy and procedures, and applicable regulatory standards.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications: Georgia license in Social Work (LMSW or LCSW). Maintains current BLS certification. 

• Educational Requirements: Masters Degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education required.

• Minimum Experience:

• Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:

• Preferred Educational Requirements:

• Preferred Experience: One (1) to three (3) years experience in the hospice setting or related clinical experience in a multi-disciplinary setting.

• Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Clinical skills

• Communication (verbal and written), organization, process facilitation

• Computer skills

• Counseling/Casework/Group

• Customer service

• Understanding of organizational behavior

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Participates in the patient consultation/admission process. Assists in determining appropriateness for care. Provides patient/family education of the hospice philosophy, services and coverage. Prioritizes a smooth care transition through strong interdisciplinary team communication.

• Conducts initial and ongoing patient/family psycho-social-spiritual needs assessments within established time frames. Identifies and prioritize needs. Monitors crisis risk in areas such as complicated grief, falls, abuse, neglect, exploitation and suicide.

• Develops and updates the Plan of Care in coordination with the patient/family and interdisciplinary team. Plans and updates interventions in response to ongoing assessment. Monitors progress towards goals. Monitors and plans for discharge needs.

• Participates in Interdisciplinary Group Process. Represents social work involvement in the plan of care. Assists the team in understanding the significant social and emotional needs of patient/family. Assists volunteer coordinator with involvement and oversight of hospice volunteers in the IDG.

• Provides case management services to patient/family. Assists with Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran’s Administration and other benefit needs. Assists with verification of patient/family financial status and needs. Advocates for and brokers community resources as appropriate to patient/family need.

• Provides therapy/counseling services to patient/family as appropriate to need. Supports adjustment to illness/impending death. Facilitates specific problem resolution.

  Supports patient/family relational work; supports life review and closure needs. Assists in the search for meaning, peace, purpose.

• Conducts grief needs assessment at the time of death and collaborates with the program’s grief support services to facilitate a smooth transition to after care services. Ensures accurate and timely hand off communication. Participates in direct grief support services as needed and as coordinated through grief support services program. Supports/participates in grief support programming such as remembrance services, education events.

• Attends meetings as required by department/organization. Staff meetings, work group/committee meetings, education sessions, etc.

• Participates in clinical and community outreach activities. Provides patient/family/community education. Assists with patient consultations/admissions to ensure a smooth initiation of care. Promotes a positive public image of the hospice program.

• Adheres to regulatory and organization/department compliance standards. Manages assigned caseload volumes.

  Adheres to physician orders for visit frequency.

  Participates in performance improvement activities. Completes documentation accurately and timely.

• Completes special projects and other duties as requested or assigned such as: Participates in committee work. Assists in development/revision of policies and procedures. Serves as team leader as requested. Provides individual and/or group grief support activities. Covers on-call shifts.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 20 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Frequently 31-65%of time

• Vision: Moderate, Constantly 66-100% of time

• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Standing/Walking: Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Intensity of Work: Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding, Driving

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals. 

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.