Social Worker - Palliative Care/Admissions in Davis, California at Yolo Hospice Inc

About YoloCares:

YoloCares, ranked in the TOP 1% of all providers in California, and nationally ranked as a BEST PLACE TO WORK, is searching for its next Social Worker for Palliative Care. As a community founded and community grounded nonprofit with a nearly 50-year track record of being experts in caring for people with a life-limiting illness, we are recruiting someone who is passionate about and seasoned in end-of-life care and who has superb communication skills. Our team of professionals see their work . . . not as work, but as a human response to an inner voice. For them, it is a calling, a vocation. The quality of their work, and commitment to our mission is evidenced in the reality that YoloCares:

• Ranks in the top 1% nationally and in the State of California for quality of care.
• Has ranked five times as a Best Place To Work by Modern Healthcare.
• Was the first California healthcare provider accepted into the prestigious National Partnership for Healthcare & Hospice Innovation.
• Opened the West Coast’s first community/housing program for terminally ill individuals who are also experiencing homelessness.
• Created a unique five-star adult day program in Davis.

Position Summary:

The Social Worker (MSW) provides psychosocial support services to patients, families, and caregivers, including assessment of needs, supportive counseling, and coordination of community resources. The role contributes to the interdisciplinary team to support quality of life and goal-concordant care within Yolo Cares Palliative Care, while operating under appropriate supervision in accordance with regulations in California.

Key Responsibilities:

Psychosocial Services
Ensures that patient/family psychosocial needs are addressed and that appropriate community resources are identified and coordinated for each patient and family, consistent with the goals of Palliative Care.

1. Performs and completes initial and ongoing bio-psychosocial assessments to identify patient/family needs, coping status, support systems, and resource requirements, in accordance with organizational policies; ensures initial assessments are completed within five (5) days of social work start of care.
2. Participates in the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) to contribute to the development and ongoing revision of the Plan of Care for each patient/family.
3. Provides psychosocial support services, including supportive counseling, education, and resource coordination, based on assessed needs and Plan of Care; documents all services in accordance with agency standards.
4. Provides psychosocial consultation to IDT members and collaborates with healthcare staff and community agencies to support patient/family needs, while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with applicable regulations. Identifies and coordinates community referrals required to support or enhance the treatment of patients/family.
5. Identifies, coordinates, and facilitates access to community resources and referrals to support or enhance patient/family well-being.
6. Participates in biweekly IDT meetings and contributes relevant psychosocial updates.
7. Collaborates with the Bereavement Services Manager to provide grief support and anticipatory grief support services to patients and families (non-psychotherapy).
8. Completes admission-related psychosocial assessments and documentation for the Palliative Care Program.
9. Provides visitation/phone calls to the Palliative Care program as directed by plan of care or by RN/Program Manager.
10. Maintains a regular work schedule (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM) and manages an assigned caseload, including travel as required.
11. Performs all duties under appropriate clinical supervision, consistent with state regulations and organizational policy in California.

Note: The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by the incumbent of this job. The incumbent may, from time to time, be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated.

Professional & Technical Development

1. Identifies individual learning needs and actively participates in continuing education, training, and professional development activities to enhance psychosocial practice within Palliative Care.
2. Demonstrates a collaborative work style, including effective teamwork, time management, communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
3. Engages in ongoing self-assessment by identifying strengths and areas for growth, and develops actionable plans to support professional improvement
4. Consistently meet all standards of conduct delineated in the YoloCares Integrity Program: Standards of Conduct: A Guide to Compliance and Ethics.

Qualifications:

1. Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
2. Demonstrated understanding of interdisciplinary team (IDT) collaboration and ability to contribute to a team-based approach to hospice and palliative care.
3. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively engage with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
4. Knowledge of community resources and ability to support patients and families with appropriate referrals and care coordination.
5. Working knowledge of mandated reporting requirements, including child and elder abuse laws, and familiarity with regulations governing hospice and palliative care practice in California.
6. Foundational knowledge of human development, family systems, cultural humility, and psychosocial factors influencing illness, caregiving, and end-of-life experiences.
7. Experience with or ability to learn electronic medical record (EMR) systems.
8. Ability to meet agency background screening and employment requirements.
9. Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) are highly preferred.

Physical & Other Job Specifications:

1. Able to hear, speak, read, write, and/or type well enough to perform required job duties.

2. Ability and willingness to maintain and drive a personal vehicle. A valid California driver’s license and state-required automobile insurance are required.