PRN Social Worker and Bereavement Coordinator at Advanced Home Health & Hospice of Lehigh Valley – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

The Hospice Social Services and Bereavement Coordinator will provide emotional support and assistance to patients, families and caregivers facing end-of-life challenges. Helping them to navigate the complexities of hospice care and available resources with the utmost sensitivity and compassion.

Schedule: PRN, Day Shift, Weekends/Weekdays

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients’ social, emotional, and environmental needs to develop tailored care plans.
• Provide counseling and emotional support to patients, families, and caregivers coping with terminal illness, grief, and loss.
• Assist patients and families in accessing community resources, including financial assistance, transportation, and support services.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers to integrate social services into the overall care plan, ensuring a holistic approach to patient care.
• Educate patients, families, and caregivers about available hospice services, support groups, and coping strategies.
• Advocate for patients’ rights and needs within the healthcare system and community.
• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation for assessments, interventions and patient progress in accordance with agency policies and regulatory standards.
• Adhere to all safety protocols and infection control measures.
• Perform all other duties assigned.

Bereavement Coordinator Responsibilities:

• Coordinates the assessment and delivery of grief counseling needs and services (one-to- one, groups, and ongoing follow-up) to ensure timely and appropriate services are provided to family/caregivers.
• Plans for Bereavement Program development, expansion and refinement through annual evaluation of services.
• Provides bereavement support to hospice personnel coping with work related grief through one-to-one counseling, supervision of interns providing one-to-one counseling, and referral to community resources.
• Provides bereavement information and referral services to callers from the community.
• Expands and maintains community resource list as needed.
• Assists as needed in evaluating and planning services to meet hospice personnel support needs (i.e., yearly retreats, weekly support groups).
• Participates in hospice activities such as inservice education, hospice personnel meetings, and relevant committees.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelors’ degree in Social Work or related field.
• Current Social Worker (MSW) license in the state where work is performed.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in social services, preferably in hospice or palliative care settings.
• Strong understanding of community resources and social service programs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build rapport with patients through a compassionate and caring demeanor.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and transfer patients, or medical equipment with or without assistance, up to 50lbs only when needed to assist clinical staff.
• Capability to perform physical tasks such as bending, standing, walking, and climbing stairs for extended periods.
• Strength to handle medical equipment and assist patients with mobility and physical activities.
• Visual acuity and dexterity for performing tasks such as reading medical records, administering injections, and handling medical instruments.
• Ability to respond swiftly and efficiently to emergency situations.
• Capacity to work in various home environments which may include navigating stairs, tight spaces, or uneven surfaces.
• Maintain regular attendance and timeliness as set forth within the work schedule designated by the department supervisor/manager.
• Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
• The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.