Medical Social Worker Hospice Care at Whidbey General Hospital – Coupeville, Washington

JOB SUMMARY

The Medical Social Worker in collaboration with the interdisciplinary Team (IDT), provides and facilitates attainment of economic, social, and emotional support services to hospice patients and their families/caregivers.

PRINCIPLE FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop, implement, and revise the Plan of Care based on a thorough psychosocial assessment and consultation with team members, patient, and caregivers.
• Assist patient and family/caregiver with making funeral arrangements and legal planning as needed.
• Assess patient/family/caregiver social, emotional, and financial factors in order to cope with terminal illness and death.
• Assess the patient/family/caregiver psychosocial status, potential for risk of suicide, and/or abuse or neglect.
• Assess environmental resources and obstacles to maintaining safety.
• Assess special needs related to cultural diversity including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions.
• Assess and develops instructions and plan of care reflecting needs identified for homemaker assistance.
• Assist other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to care of terminally ill patients and caregivers.
• Evaluate and monitor patient’s insurance coverage and options in assessing patient/caregiver ability to meet financial obligations.
• Provide counseling services to the patient/family/caregiver experiencing emotional, social, and economic conflict; evaluates patient/family/caregiver response to psychosocial interventions.
• Provide grief support and education to patients and their families/caregivers.
• Notifies management of unusual or potentially problematic patient/family issues.
• Document patient care per guidelines of Medicare’s regulations of Conditions of Participation and Plan of Care.
• Offer appropriate internal and community resources; assists patients, caregivers, and staff in acquiring and utilizing resources as needed.
• Practice within the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to provide patient and caregiver oriented hospice services.
• Participate in individual, team, and departmental quality improvement activities and organizational process improvement efforts.
• Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.

Education

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from a school of social work accredited by the Council of Social Work Education required.

Training and Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year paid social work experience required.
• Hospice experience preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• License as required by Washington DOH to practice as a Social Worker:
  • Minimum requirement is LASW (Licensed Advanced Social Worker), LSWAA (Licensed Social Worker Associate Advanced), or LCWAIC (Licensed Social Worker Associate Independent Clinical).
  • LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) also meets licensure requirement but exceeds minimum requirement. LICSW preferred.
• American Heart Association BLS required.
• Maintain a valid WA State Driver’s License. An out of state driver’s license will be acceptable in conjunction with a valid US Military ID.
• Current personal auto insurance and is insurable with the District’s insurance carrier.
• Washington State driving record upon hire and may be subject to annual driving record checks based on facility insurance carrier requirements.
• Must complete the required disclosure statement and pass a criminal history background check upon hire and every two (2) years thereafter.