Social Worker - Bismarck - Hospice

Scope:

• Responsible for consultation and direction of Social Service in Hospice. 
• Provide orientation and education to the social service and nursing staff. Develop, organize and implement programs, policies and procedures, conduct case work services and counseling and recommend functions necessary to ensure overall operational viability. 
• Provide psychosocial support, which is a broad term covering the patient’s emotional life, any past or present psychological problems, and all of the people in the patient’s life: immediate family, distant relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers, insurance companies, creditors, and many others. 
• Assist the patient with the logistics of hospice care and daily life with a terminal illness: insurance benefits, Social Security, Medicaid, and how to deal with financial issues, wills, legal questions, or funeral planning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assure that social service/counseling activities are integrated and coordinated within Hospice. Ability to perform a psychosocial assessment and reassessment on all terminally ill patients including a bereavement risk assessment on patient’s family and/ or caregivers. This includes pediatric, adolescent, geriatric and the general patient population and an assessment of the family’s psychosocial needs and ability to care for a dying patient.
• Communicate appropriately and clearly to physicians and interdisciplinary team. Coordinate and direct Social Service to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospice policy is followed. Manage and operate equipment safely and correctly. Documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Perform all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors. Support and maintain a culture of safety and quality. Demonstrate an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
• Maintain a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments. Consult other departments as appropriate to collaborate in patient care and performance improvement activities. Is an active participant in the IDG.
• Provide education to staff on performance improvement. Ability to plan and organize orientation and in-service training for staff members. Participate in guidance and educational programs. Perform consultative activities including recommendations for changes in service delivery.
• The duties and responsibilities listed above are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Must have knowledge of basic social work principles; strong assessment, problem solving, and organizational skills; familiarity with health and social resources; understanding of the psychosocial implications of acute/chronic illness, normal/abnormal aging process, relocation trauma for residents and families; and knowledge of basic medical terminology. 
• Must have a Social Worker License in the states of North Dakota and Minnesota. The Social Worker will have to obtain the required hours of continuing education credits every two years.
• Must have excellent skills in oral and written communication, and the ability to work effectively with others, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team. 
• Must have general computer skills.
• Must complete and pass a state required background study.
• Able to physically perform the duties required by the position.
• Required to have the ability to read, write and speak English well enough to communicate with staff, patients, families and facilities.

Reports To: Family Services Manager