Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Works as a part of the Hospice, Home Health, Swing Bed and Medical Surgical staff to provide assistance to patients and family members to enable them to deal more effectively with psychosocial, financial, and spiritual aspects of the patient’s illness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs thorough psychosocial evaluation of the patient/family admitted to Home Health/Hospice/Swing Bed or Medical Surgical Unit as ordered. Develops appropriate care plans and follows up as planned.
2. Interprets to the Home Health/Hospice/Swing bed/Medical Surgical teams the social factors in the patient’s situation that may have a bearing on his/her progress.
3. Works with the patient, family and physician on alternative planning using appropriate community resources.
4. Educates and provides counseling to help patients and families understand and accept the illness and anticipate its accompanying adjustments.
5. Coordinates resources to alleviate the financial impact of the illness, and assists the patient and family in planning for payment of medical care.
6. Documents on all patient encounters using appropriate forms. Does hospital documentation immediately. Turns in Home Health/Hospice documentation within 24-48 hours of visit.
7. Participates in Interdisciplinary Team meetings, case conferences and in-services as needed.
8. Provides bereavement services to significant others and family members and documents same with 24-28 hours of visit or telephone contact. Tracks and sends out bereavement per schedule.
9. Works collaboratively with other health care providers within and outside of Livingston Health/Care.
10. Is knowledgeable about available community resources and shares accurate information with co-workers, clients, and families.
11. Is familiar with and complies with all applicable Home Health/Hospice and Medical Surgical policies and procedures.
12. Assists in hospital discharge planning as requested.
13. Attends appropriate in-services and shares information with Home Health/Hospice employees.
14. Speaks to community groups as requested about Home Health/Hospice, Advanced Directives, Bereavement and other end of life issues.
15. Assist Home Health/Hospice Department Manager in outreach activities.
16. Conducts and coordinates the documentation of Hospice patient life review.
17. Tracks and records mileage on appropriate form.
18. Offers bereavement support group for community members, assisted livings and nursing home employees on either a one to one or group basis.
19. Actively participates in Quality Improvement.
20. Other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Serves as a consultant to other members of the Home Health/Hospice/Swing Bed/Medical Surgical teams, offering in-service education as requested.
2. Provides portions of Hospice training and Advanced Directive training for staff, volunteers and community groups.
3. Treats patient information as confidential and abides by all HIPAA policies and procedures.
4. Attends the first available Hospice Volunteer training class, if not already Hospice trained.
5. Attends and actively participates in Home Health team, Quality Improvement, Departmental and Hospice Interdisciplinary meeting.
6. Conducts a minimum of one independent Quality Improvement Activity annually.

OTHER FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL EMPLOYEES:

1. Supports and models individual behavior consistent with the Standards of Excellence and the mission, vison and values of Livingston HealthCare.
2. Demonstrates commitment to customer service by:
   • Building effective working relationships and treating others with respect.
   • Interactive with customers (patient. Co-workers and visitors) on a warm and friendly way.
   • Taking immediate action to meet customers’ needs or request.
   • Attentive to each customer concern,
3. Demonstrates and encourages an ethics of open and effective communication and teamwork throughout the organization.
4. Adheres to Livingston HealthCare’s Code of Conduct and Livingston HealthCare and departmental compliance policies.

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal of functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements which may be inherent in the position.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS (Required):

1. Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work
2. Valid driver’s license, auto insurance and reliable form of transportation
3. Ability to work independently in a variety of situations.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Prefer experience as a Social Worker in a medical setting, working with terminal patients and grief/bereavement.
2. Ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of individuals and groups.
3. Excellent interpersonal skills with emphasis on listening skills and nonjudgmental attitude.
4. Extensive knowledge of community resources.
5. Ability to work non-judgmentally with a variety of personality types.