Hospice Clinical Social Worker

Education:

• Master's degree in Social Work from a university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Licensures/Certifications:

• Licensed in the State of Maryland as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C). Advanced licensure for LMSWs is required within 3 years of the start date, supervision provided

Experience:
One year of social work experience in a health care setting. Previous hospice experience preferred.

Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to effectively collaborate with interdisciplinary team in providing patient care

• Ability to manage time well and perform assigned duties with attention to detail

• Must possess professional image, positive attitude, enthusiasm, and self-motivation

• Comfortable in maintaining professional boundaries

• Strong self-awareness

• Culturally humble, curious and open to learning about diverse backgrounds

• Proficient computer skills

• Knowledgeable about community resources as well as diligent in researching a wide array of resources including those related to financial benefits

• Demonstrates empathy and compassion

• Effective time management

• Highly organized

• Knowledge of self-care, personal boundaries; abilities, limits and inner resources

• Analytical skills necessary to assess client needs, to establish a plan of care and to implement appropriate interventions

• Ability to function independently and effectively anticipate needs and problems

Patient & Workplace Safety:

• Employee has knowledge and understanding of patient and workforce safety as it relates to job duties.

Patient Population:

• Demonstrates competency in the delivery of care and applies the knowledge to meet age-specific needs if applicable.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervises social work interns as assigned

• LCSW-C Social Workers may supervise social workers with a LMSW as assigned

• Conducts biopsychosocial assessments of the patient and family as the basis for care planning

• Develops and maintains therapeutic relationships

• Addresses the emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs of the patient and family related to the patient's illness, need for care, response to treatment and adjustment to care.

• Provides individual and family counseling specific to the disease process, coping, and planning.

• Provides psychosocial education to patients and their family members regarding coping strategies and techniques to manage stress, pain, and other symptoms of illness

• Conducts a comprehensive needs assessment and assists patients and family members with referrals and linkage to services in the community

• Supports the patient and their family through dying process

• Assures that a patient's end of life wishes are met through education and helps to capture their wishes in legal documents such as MOLST and advanced directives

• Assesses and addresses caregiving resources and needs

• Conducts crisis intervention including suicide assessment and prevention

• Conducts bereavement care and grief counseling, including anticipatory responses to and processing grief

• Facilitates smooth transition from care environments

• Assists with discharge planning

• Participates in interdisciplinary group meetings

• Participates on committees as appropriate or assigned

• Educates staff during IDTs about mental health issues, family dynamics, or psychosocial factors impacting care.

• Advises IDT members of the maintenance of appropriate and therapeutic boundaries

• Debriefs difficult cases or deaths within the IDT

• Participates in monthly or bimonthly structured peer case conferences or group therapy

• Participates in supervision as dictated by the Board of Social Work Examiners regulations

• Assists with orientation of new employees

• Participates in the on-call rotation and provides after-hours and holiday coverage as specified by needs of the agency.

• Identifies and reports abuse and neglect as mandated by law

• Assures patient safety

• Creates timely and accurate documentation

• Adheres to Gilchrist standards and facilitates continuously improved processes and services

• Adheres to high standards of personal and professional conduct

All roles must demonstrate GBMC Values:

Respect

I will treat everyone with courtesy. I will foster a healing environment.

• Treats others with fairness, kindness, and respect for personal dignity and privacy.

• Listens and responds appropriately to others' needs, feelings, and capabilities.

Excellence

I will strive for superior performance in every aspect of my work. I will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of others.

• Meets and/or exceeds customer expectations.

• Actively pursues learning and self-development.

• Pays attention to detail; follows through.

Accountability

I will be professional in the way I act, look and speak. I will take ownership to solve problems.

• Sets a positive, professional example for others.

• Takes ownership of problems and does what is needed to solve them.

• Appropriately plans and utilizes required resources for various job duties.

• Reports to work regularly and on time.

Teamwork

I will be engaged and collaborative. I will keep people informed.

• Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others for the success of the team.

• Addresses and resolves conflict in a positive way.

• Seeks out the ideas of others to reach the best solutions.

• Acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of others.

Ethical Behavior

I will always act with honesty and integrity. I will protect the patient.

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity and good judgment.

• Respects the cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients/families/coworkers.

Results

I will set goals and measure outcomes that support organizational goals. I will give and accept help to achieve goals.

• Embraces change and improvement in the work environment.

• Continuously seeks to improve the quality of products/services.

• Displays flexibility in dealing with new situations or obstacles.

• Achieves results on time by focusing on priorities and manages time efficiently.