Pediatric Social Worker in Kalamazoo, Michigan at Hospice of Michigan

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

1. A master’s degree in social work (MSW) obtained from a school of social work accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.
2. Possession of a current license to practice social work issued by the State of Michigan. A Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) is highly preferred but will consider a Limited Licensed Masters Social Worker (LLMSW).
3. Pediatric social workers must have at least one (1) to two (2) years paid social worker experience working with children and caregivers. In addition, knowledge of child development, basic knowledge of pediatric diseases and grief related issues associated with parents/families and children with chronic/life-limiting illnesses is required.
4. Must be able to cope with family/caregiver emotional stress, cultural diversity and be non-judgmental of individual lifestyles.
5. Experience with issues concerning the terminally ill and death/dying.
6. Ability to use technology (hardware and software) required by clinicians to use in their practice.
7. Must possess excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, effective organizational, prioritization and follow-through skills, attention to detail, tact, dependability, emotional intelligence and the ability to promote positive, constructive relationships with communication and collaboration at all levels with the ability to maintain confidentiality.

1. Maintains a valid Michigan driver’s license and has the availability of a reliable, licensed and insured vehicle for use on the job. The vehicle must be insured in accordance with the State of Michigan.
2. Remains up to date on all routine immunizations required by LARA and agency policy.
3. Must be eligible to work in the United States.

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

The Centrica Care Pediatric Social Worker covers all social work services for patients in the Centrica Care Navigators 10 county service area, as well as supporting Legacy Care efforts statewide. Service area may be flexible depending on statewide pediatric hospice needs, including possible travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1. Assist patient and family/caregiver with placement arrangements, funeral arrangements, legal planning and community resources.
2. Assesses, develops, implements, and revises the patient/family/caregiver plan of care for social, emotional, environmental, functional, and financial factors in order to cope with the terminal illness and death.
3. Develops, implements and revises the plan of care based on a thorough psychosocial assessment and consultation with team members, patient, and caregivers.
4. Identifies patient/family/caregiver needs when discharged or when level of care changes; evaluates patient/family/caregiver response to intervention(s) when discharged or when level of care changes.
5. Evaluates and assesses family response to grief and loss issues and the risk factors associated, provides telephonic and virtual anticipatory grief support that is developmentally appropriate, helping to prepare the family/caregiver for future without the patient. Assesses special needs related to cultural diversity including communication, space, role of family members and special traditions.
6. Documents and submits patient care documentation following established organizational standards of documentation practice and regulatory and licensure requirements.
7. Works with patients/families enrolled in hospice services, providing support and education regarding end-of-life issues as they relate to children and families.
8. Works collaboratively with other IDT members, communicates complete and accurate information to all team members, assists other team members in understanding the significant social and emotional factors related to care of terminally ill patients and their caregivers.
9. Acts as a resource for staff members and orients new staff as needed.
10. Evaluates and monitors patient’s insurance coverage and options in assessing patient/caregiver ability to meet financial obligations.
11. In collaboration with the Statewide Pediatric Legacy Care Specialist, coordinates Legacy Building activities, both in person and virtually, for all Centrica Pediatrics families including coordinating with Pediatric Art Programs for direction of projects.
12. In collaboration with the Statewide Pediatric Legacy Care Specialist, facilitates a minimum of two (2) virtual community educational offerings each year, during National Children’s Hospice Week and National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, focused on supporting children who have experienced sibling loss and parents who have experienced child loss.
13. Offers appropriate internal and community resources and assists patients, caregivers and staff in acquiring and utilizing resources, as indicated.
14. Participates in internal and external education and training and other activities to develop personal and professional goals and growth.
15. Adjusts to changes in workload, schedules based on changing departmental/organizational priorities.
16. Adheres to organizational Code of Conduct, policies and procedures, protocols and processes and all regulatory and legal requirements and practices within the NASW Code of Ethics.
17. Models the C.A.R.E. Model of Service: courtesy, acknowledgement, response and empathy.

Duties

1. Actively participates in organization-wide performance improvement activities.
2. Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ standards of personal and professional conduct.
3. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the Hospice philosophy of care, agency mission, and vision.
4. Ensures that all necessary information is shared with appropriate personnel.
5. Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ Workplace Safety Program.
6. Understands and complies with Hospice Medicare and Medicaid conditions of participation.
7. Complies with applicable local, federal and state regulations, Quality Partners standards, compliance guidelines, privacy protections and protected health information.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents in this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Working Relationships:

Internal: Extensive contact with all members of the interdisciplinary team and clerical staff; frequent

contact with other staff.

External: Extensive contact with patients and family members; frequent contact with contracted

agencies, facilities, physicians, insurance carriers and community programs as needed.

Microcomputer and general office equipment

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
2. Good organizational skills.
3. Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.
4. Strong medical social work skills with emphasis on knowledge of death and dying.
5. Familiar with various reimbursements and the implications for case management.
6. Good internal and external organizational sensitivity.

1. General office, multi-office sites, and floors.
2. Community home environment, including adult foster care homes, assisted living, Nursing homes, or other residence of the patient.
3. Exposure to infectious diseases.

The physical and sensory demands of the position include vision, effective speech and hearing for extensive telephone contact; repetitive motion; traveling; driving or riding in motor vehicle; standing, sitting, walking bending, reaching, stretching, lifting up to forty-five (45) pounds unassisted and the ability to assist in lifting patients using appropriate lifting techniques and/or devices.

A typical eight (8) hour workday includes intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and repetitive hand motions associated with writing and computer keyboard typing

Centrica personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, Centrica personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities. All personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.