Social Worker

JOB SUMMARY: The Social Worker is responsible for assisting in the provision of rehabilitative and supportive casework geared to restoring patients to their optimum level of social and health function. This work includes the facilitation of patients and their families' understanding and acceptance of compliance as it relates to medical recommendations.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

To perform this job, an individual must accomplish each essential function satisfactorily, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

•Supervise the Social Work Assistant

•Complete Social Work treatment plans through activities such as referral to other community-based programs, education, counseling, networking and advocacy

•Conduct review of the effectiveness of social worker plans and revise plans as the needed indicates

•Participate in social work in-service/continuing education programs

•Educate other agency staff about appropriately dealing with patient's psycho-social needs

•Participate in community education activities

•Provide social work services to patients in accordance with physician's orders

•Assess and reassess social and emotional factors to identify ways to help the patient and family cope with problems. of end of life care and help them follow the hospice team's recommendations to maximize the patient's quality of life

•Counsel patients and families concerning financial concerns, family relationships and quality of life care giving issues

•Recognize, identify and utilize community and family resources to assist in maintaining independence and quality of life

•Attend and actively participate in patient care conferences to ensure good coordination of care

•Develop, prepare and maintain individualized patient care progress records with accurately timeliness and according to policies

Job Requirements:

•Report significant findings in a timely manner

•Submit accurate complete documentation per company policy

•Comply with state and federal regulations

•Communicate information effectively to supervisor and others in a timely manner

•Maintain proficiency with computer systems

•Knowledgeable of current company policies and procedures and state and federal regulations

•Maintain confidentiality of records, correspondence, etc.

•Attend meetings and in-service as requested

•Abide by all policies and procedures set forth by the company

•Ensure protection of confidential information that is stored, handled, or maintained by following company policies and procedures related to confidentiality and/or HIPAA regulations

Required Skills:

•Work requires advanced knowledge of the Hospice Industry, Medicare Regulations, CMS, and other State/Federal regulatory changes

•Comprehensive knowledge of patient rights, characteristics of persons served and interventions

•Comprehensive knowledge in completing and conducting psychosocial assessments, social history, and assessing high social risk cases

•Comprehensive knowledge in counseling for patient, family, and caregivers regarding mental health

•Comprehensive knowledge of treatment plans, goals, and modalities that are patient specific

•Comprehensive knowledge and sensitivity in patient confidentiality, and cultural diversity

•Ability to work effectively as a member of an integrated team

•Ability to work in stressful, crisis, or unpredicted situations and maintain a positive attitude

Required Computer Software/Equipment used:

•Microsoft Office including Outlook, Excel, and Word

•Standard Office Equipment

•Computer

Education / Work Experience:

•Bachelor's degree preferred

•Two or more years of clinical experience with severe and persistent mental illness and/or geriatrics preferred

•Supervisory experience preferred

Other Requirements:

•Position may require unscheduled overtime and weekend work

•Must be willing and able to work flexible hours

•Regional travel may be required

Supervisory Responsibilities:

•Supervises support staff including scheduling and assigning work, reviewing performance, recommending salary increases, promotions or discharges

•Occasionally needs manager's direction due to extraordinary circumstances.

COMPANY COMPETENCIES:

•Respect - We treat people as they want to be treated, showing regard for their rights and privacy

•Integrity - We emphasize honesty, fairness, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching

•Teamwork - We work collaboratively to improve processes, resolve problems and reward results

•Excellence - We hold ourselves to the highest standards, aspiring to zero defects in every task

•Compassion - We respond to those who need help with sensitivity and a positive attitude

•Professionalism - We perform our duties with skill, good judgement and politeness

JOB COMPETENCIES:

1. Analytical Thinking:Able to gather and analyze data and reach appropriate conclusion; solves problems in a timely manner.Use logic and reasoning to identify changes in patients' conditions to determine the correct plan of action.

2. Customer and Personal Service:Possess good interpersonal skills while dealing with emotional or difficult situations; respond promptly to customer's needs.Knowledge of principles and processes for providing personal services, including needs assessment; meeting quality standards.

3. Accountability:Accepts responsibility for own decisions, actions and results; able to maintain dependable behavior in times of crisis or complexity.

4. Attendance:Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered; returns from lunch and breaks appropriately; arrives at meetings on time; notifies supervisor of pending absences.

5. Communication:Speaks and writes clearly and persuasively; listens and receives clarification.

6. Ethical Behavior:Upholds organizational values and abides by state and federal regulations; maintains confidentiality of HIPAA information; treats others with respect.

7. Initiative:Seeks increased responsibility; sets self-improvement goals related to the organization's objectives.

8. Job and Industry Knowledge:Demonstrates knowledge of the position and industry; seeks additional information.

9. Productivity and Quality of Work:Maintains high level of performance while demonstrating commitment to accuracy and thoroughness.

10. Teamwork: Displays ease working with others; contributes ideas and skills to team; puts success of team above own interests. Communicates with co-workers at all levels to adequately meet the needs of patients.

SCOPE AND LEVEL OF WORK:

•Complexity: Work assignment is performed within an established framework under general instructions but requires simultaneous coordination of assigned functions or projects in various stages of completion.

•Decision Making: Exercises judgment and discretion, and is responsible for determining the time, place and sequence of the work performed.

•Communications: Contacts with the public or employees where explanatory or interpretive information is exchanged, defended, and gathered and discretion and judgment are required within the parameters of the job function.

•Supervision Received: Performs work with supervisory oversight. Under general supervision, receives assignments and is expected to carry them through to completion with substantial independence. Work is reviewed for adherence to instructions, accuracy, completeness, and conformance to standard practice or precedent. Recurring work clearly covered by guidelines may or may not be reviewed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

•Job may require frequent lifting of objects up to 40 pounds

•Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, pushing and pulling

•Work is typically performed in a personal vehicle or a standard office environment, that is well-lit with comfortable temperature controlled. Above average conversational noise may be frequent

•The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

SAFETY EXPECTATIONS:

•Work safely and follow safety rules

•Report unsafe working conditions and behaviors

•Take reasonable and prudent actions to prevent others from engaging in unsafe practices

WORK ENVIRONMENT:Work is typically performed in a standard office environment; well-lit; comfortable temperature-controlled; above-average conversational noise is frequent.

SS002.1:Social Worker