Social Worker

Working title: Social Worker/Community Bereavement Specialist               

Classification title: Social Workers

Division: Home Health & Hospice

Program: Hospice

Reports to: Hospice Program Manager 

FLSA status: Non-Exempt: Full-Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8am-5pm

Wage Range: $26.40 to $35.72 hourly; depending on number of years of transferrable experience and internal equity

Organizational Overview

Serving the Yellowstone County community and south-central Montana for nearly 50 years, RiverStone Health is an essential provider of personal and public health services. Health, Education, Leadership and Protection – HELP is what we do.  From medical, dental and behavioral healthcare; home care and hospice; public health services like immunizations, WIC, health promotion and restaurant inspections; and educating the next generation of health professionals, our expertise spans all ages and stages of life. Underlying principles of access, affordability, compassion and quality in all interactions, RiverStone Health improves life, health and safety for all of the communities we serve.

Hospice Overview:

The RiverStone Health Hospice Services care for terminally ill patients who want to receive comfort-oriented care rather than continue to seek a cure. Hospice care emphasizes quality of life. Care and grief support services are provided wherever home is. Most hospice patients receive care in their home, or the home of a relative or friend.  Hospice care can also be provided in nursing homes or other facilities.  Working together with patient and family, our team of hospice professionals and volunteers help relieve physical symptoms and decrease psychological, social, emotional, or spiritual distress of patients and their caregivers. Our 24 hour on-call nursing services are available to meet urgent needs.

Job Summary:

The Social Worker position provides individuals, families and groups with psychosocial support by providing information, referrals and other support services.  The position provides onsite health, wellness, psychological and/or emotional support and services. The bereavement specialist offers education, guidance, attention and support to local community as they work through the grieving and healing process.

Essential Functions/Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

Social Worker Services                45%

• Perform initial intake and assessment.
• Advocate for clients or patients.
• Educate and provide options and resources to clients to assist them in making informed decisions.
• Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate and assess patients' needs.
• Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in, or provide access to services.
• Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care, following through to ensure service efficacy.
• Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment or care plan.
• Identify impediments to client or patient progress or care through interviews and review of records.
• Support clients and patients in individual and group sessions.
• Organize support groups for family members to assist them in understanding, working with, and supporting the client or patient.
• Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status.
• Supervise or work collaboratively with others providing services to clients or patients in the community hospice program which serves patients and their families in the home setting.
• Plan and conduct programs applicable to the field of work such as grief support groups.
• Conduct social research to advance knowledge in the social work field.
• Investigate abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary.
• Oversee social work-related paperwork and recordkeeping with other resource organizations.

Bereavement-specific duties                                                                   50%

• Oversee and coordinate bereavement and grief support services for community members.
• Organize and lead community bereavement programs, support groups, and memorial events
• Provide individual and group support for those grieving a loss.
• Serve as a member of the interdisciplinary group (IDG) for discussion of ongoing anticipatory grief.
• Serve as a liaison to community resources and make referrals as needed
• Identify and refer individuals who need ongoing grief therapy to a community grief licensed counselor of their choice.
• Provide education and training to staff and volunteers in conjunction with the supervisor and other bereavement team members.
• Coordinate or assist with grief and hospice related bereavement services such as memorial services, and grief-related community education programs.
• Promote bereavement education and awareness through events and partnerships.
• Provide comfort and support with grieving care givers, families, and staff.

Non-Essential Functions/Other duties as

assigned                                                                                          ≥5%

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of RiverStone’s mission and goals.

Education and Experience: 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology or other field related to social work.
• Two years of experience in social services or public health field.
• Any combination of experience and training which provide the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in social work.

Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid State of Montana Driver’s License and vehicle insurance (if Hospice, Home Health, and Public Health)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of modern office procedures, practices, and equipment.
• Maintains a calm and positive demeanor during difficult client interactions.
• Demonstrates non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills.
• High degree of detail-oriented level of skill.
• Knowledge and understanding of protected sensitive patient health information (HIPAA) and confidentiality.
• Motivated to work collaboratively and maintain a positive work environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain a positive work environment.
• Ability to display non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills.
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with supervisors, co-workers and customers.
• Ability to prioritize and perform a wide range of tasks under pressure of frequent interruptions.
• Ability to perform job duties with integrity and innovation to ensure completion and a high level of quality.
• Understands and adheres to administrative policies and procedures.

Customer Service Excellence:

• Does things right the first time and accepts responsibility for mistakes
• Welcomes people to RiverStone Health
• Shows respect for each customer
• Anticipates customer needs and concerns
• Updates and informs customers
• Assists others and goes the extra mile
• Responsive to client interests and concerns
• Protects privacy and confidentiality
• Demonstrates proper telephone etiquette
• Gathers information and responds to complaints promptly
• Being professional
• Accepts ownership of Service Excellence.

Supervision: 

• None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Required to stand, walk and sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to travel and use own personal vehicle. Expected to drive a vehicle which requires sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, other vehicles, etc. Travel occurs in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
• Will be exposed to home environments that may include allergens such as smoke, pets, etc.
• Create and maintain a safe/secure working environment by adhering to safety, security, and health requirements. Integrates injury, illness, and loss prevention into job activities by attending any necessary training and implementing best practices.

Freedom to Act & Decision Making:

• Uses independent judgement
• Work is structured by public health regulations and established medical practices.
• Decisions directly affect the quality of services provided to the public.

Communications & Networking:

• Position requires continual written and oral communication with clients, patients, family members, community resources, colleagues, management, etc.
• Responsible for medical and non-medical confidential information.

Budget & Resource Management:

• The position is responsible for managing resources including time, equipment, and other resources necessary to deliver services.  Decisions made by the position directly affect the efficiency and cost of services.