Medical Social Worker at VNA Health – Santa Barbara, California

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Inpatient Social Worker, employed through the organization, is responsible for the implementation of standards of care for medical social work services and for adherence to all conditions in the Service or Employment Agreement. The Inpatient Social Worker respects and promotes the mission, values and vision of VNA Health.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Works directly in the inpatient unit.
2. Assesses the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient's terminal illness and environment. Provides an assessment in the inpatient unit.
3. Develops plan of care for patient/family that is tailored to individual needs and includes the interdisciplinary team.
4. Enters all clinical data on all patients referred to social worker. Completes thorough, accurate, and timely documentation as defined by agency policy.
5. Completes required admission paperwork including Serenity House fee agreement.
6. Reports patient/family contacts and interventions to other members of the interdisciplinary team appropriately.
7. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings, staff meetings and required social worker meetings.
8. Provides accurate documentation of each contact with or regarding the patient/family in accordance with current regulations.
9. Provides interventions as indicated in the interdisciplinary team care plan.
10. Completes suicide assessments, when indicated, at time of psychosocial assessment.
11. Reports child abuse/neglect and dependent/elder adult abuse as required by law.
12. Provides or arranges for individual or family counseling services to assist with the stress associated with a life threatening illness.
13. Identifies and facilitates referrals to appropriate community resources and coordinates patient and family use of these resources.
14. Assists with benefit programs and end of life planning.
15. Assists physician and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.
16. Participates in discharge planning as needed. Assists patient and family/caregiver with securing durable power of attorney and with funeral arrangements, as needed.
17. Participates in Quality Management activities.
18. Develops and/or participates in education programs and workshops for patients/families, staff and community at large.
19. Assists with consents, admissions, fee agreements or referring to Serenity House as needed.
20. Knowledge of state, federal, local and accreditations regulations for the delivery of hospice services.
21. Meets daily average productivity standards set by the agency.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description. All staff are expected to participate as needed in variable shifts, including weekend rotation per staffing needs and departmental holiday rotation.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master's Degree in social work from a school accredited or approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
2. Minimum of one year experience in health care, hospice experience preferred. Understands hospice philosophy, and issues of death/dying. Understanding of the psychosocial issues related to families in crisis.
3. Licensed driver with insured automobile - in accordance with state and/or organization requirements.
4. Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
5. Ability to provide culturally sensitive support to people from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
6. Basic working knowledge and skill of computer required (experience with Windows and email required).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Ability to lift 50 lbs.
2. Ability to push/pull 50 lbs.
3. Ability to stoop, bend, and squat.
4. Ability to walk up one flight of stairs.
5. Ability to walk one mile.
6. Ability to sit for one hour, minimum.
7. Visual and audio acuity.

STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE

VNA Health Evaluation tool.