Medical social services will be provided by a qualified social worker, under the direction of a physician. Social work services will be based on the patient’s psychosocial assessment and the patient and family’s needs. The social worker will participate in the coordination of care with the Interdisciplinary Group/Team (IDG/IDT) and participate in on-call rotation per the Hospice needs.

Education: Master’s Social Work (MSW) degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or Baccalaureate degree in social work (BSW) from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or Baccalaureate degree in psychology, sociology, or other field related to social work and is supervised by a MSW; and has one year of social work experience in a healthcare setting; or Baccalaureate degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, is employed by the Hospice before December 2, 2008 and is not required to be supervised by a MSW.

Licensure: Current and valid license as a LMSW or LBSW issued by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. Current drivers’ license.

Experience: One year of experience in palliative care or hospice preferred.

Skills: Working knowledge of community resources. Good interpersonal skills. Demonstrates ability to work with computers.

Transportation: Reliable transportation and valid auto liability insurance.

Environmental and Working Conditions: Works in patients’ homes in various conditions; possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids and infectious diseases; ability to work a flexible schedule; ability to travel locally; exposure to unpleasant weather.

Physical and Mental Effort: Prolonged standing and walking, required. May require occasionally working under stressful conditions providing counseling and education to terminally ill patients and their families

Assess and complete the Comprehensive Assessment within five days of the patient’s election of hospice care to identify patient and family’s psychosocial, financial, environmental and community needs as evidence by POC documentation, clinical records, IDG/IDT meetings and community resource referrals.

Assist with advance directives, funeral planning, discharge planning, family counseling and may assist in changes in the level of care as indicated by the patient or family’s needs.

Use effective interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written.

Meet mandatory continuing education requirements of the Hospice and licensing board. Demonstrates commitment, professional growth, and competency by maintaining a working knowledge of public and private eligibility standards and requirements.

Provide patient and family/care giver counseling around issues of end-of-life, death, and grief.

Promote hospice philosophy and administrative policies to ensure quality of care. Attends IDG/IDT meetings, participate in the patient care planning process and coordinating and collaborating with the IDG/IDT to promote coordination of patient care.

Accept clinical assignments that are consistent with education and competence to meet the needs of the patients.

Provide environment which promotes respect for patients and their privacy and property.

Participate in the Hospice’s QAPI program.

Demonstrate commitment, professional growth, and competency.

Follow the Hospice infection control policy.

Participate in the Hospice’s educational in-service programs as required