Position Summary:

 Identifies and analyzes the social and emotional factors underlying client illness and communicates as an active member of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and the Home Health team.  Assists clients and their families in understanding emotional stress of terminal illness and to provide the supportive structure necessary to aid them in obtaining the maximum benefits from Hospice, Home Health and community resources.

 Education, License & Cert: 

Masters’ Degree in Social Work or other related field is required for this position. 

Experience: 

Minimum of one (1) year social work experience preferred.  Previous Hospice experience or similar work with patients/families experiencing terminal illness preferred.  Dependable transportation is required. 

Essential Functions:

1. Provides home visits to assess patients and families psychological, emotional and social needs.  May delegate routine visits to per diem Medical Social Work employees.  Provides counseling activity for all clients to include current client family.  Intervenes appropriate in a crisis situation on behalf of Agencies. 

2. Actively participates in appropriate GHS committees for enhancing Hospice services. 

3. Works with Hospice IDT and Home Health staff to provide appropriate social service casework including counseling to assist in resolving problems related to the individuals home environment, financial resources, community resource needs, pre‐grieving counseling and logistics of funeral arrangements. 

4. Prepares reports, referrals, communication, and continuous quality improvement study data as requested by the Administrator. 

5. Regularly attends the IDT meetings and Home Health Case Conferences assisting staff members in understanding significant social and emotional factors in the development of plan of care.

6. Provides in‐service programs to volunteers, para‐professionals, nursing staff and others.

7. Works with other disciplines to identify program needs and secure various funding sources, facilitating submission of grants as appropriate.  Also assists with program development within the agencies and with other Guthrie Healthcare entities. 

8. Assists with public relations activities for community organizations, physicians and area businesses.  As well as participates in community and volunteer education programs. 

9. Assists with the design of materials for distribution regarding bereavement services, develops educational programs for families, community and staff on loss, grief, and related topics. 

10. Conducts ongoing continuous quality improvement processes, regarding services, family needs, and satisfaction, adapting programs as appropriate. 

Other Duties: 

1. Assists the team with identification, development and presentation of programs to address community needs for bereavement education and services. 

2. Travel is required. 

3. It is understood that this description is not intended to be all‐inclusive and that other duties may be assigned as necessary in the performance of this position.

Salary Range: min $44,637 -max $70,720