Horizons Hospice, LLC.

Job Title/Position: Medical Social Worker

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Medical Social Worker contracted or employed though the organization is responsible for the implementation of standards or care for medical social work services and for adherence to all conditions in the Service or Employment Agreement.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assesses the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient’s terminal illness and environmental and communicates findings to the registered nurse and other member of the interdisciplinary group. Provides an assessment in the patient’s identified residence and assistance when this is not safe and another plan is required.
2. Carries out social evaluations, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high risks for suicide, neglect or abuse and planes intervention based on evaluation findings. Counsel’s patient and family/caregivers as needed in a relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties. Provides crisis intervention when necessary.
3. Assess for, and educated interdisciplinary group, on any specials needs related to the culture of the patient and family. Includes communication, role of family, space, and any special traditions or taboos.
4. Maintains clinical records on all patients referred to social work.
5. Educates patients and families on, and assists in, preparation of advanced directives.
6. Provides information and referral services for organization patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs.
7. Provides information to patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
8. Serves as liaison between patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
9. Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care.
10. Maintains and develops contracts with public and private agencies as recourses for patient and personnel.
11. Participates in the development of the plan of care, involving the patient and family, and attends regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings, assisting the team in recognizing the effects of the psychosocial stresses on the symptoms of the terminal illness.
12. Assists physician and other team members in understanding significant social emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.
13. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
14. Participates in discharge planned when needed. Assists patient and family/caregiver with securing durable power of attorney and with funeral arrangements, as needed.
15. Assists family and patient in planning for funeral arrangements, financial, legal, and health care decision responsibilities.
16. Other duties as delegated by the Clinical Supervisor.

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