PALLIATIVE CARE SOCIAL WORKER

Min

USD $27.52 / Hr.

Max

USD $42.65 / Hr.

Overview

As a member of the multidisciplinary team, the Palliative Care Social Worker (PCSW) assesses the psychosocial needs of the palliative care patient and provides clinical support to help meet patient / family social, emotional, and financial needs related to the impact of serious illness. Fosters trusting and supportive relationships with patients and their families, working alongside medical providers in a collaborative team by maintaining rapport and open lines of communications with patient to ensure their needs are met and continuity of care is maintained. Evaluates and assesses patient needs for discharge planning assistance, planning and coordination of patient programs, and acting as a liaison between the patient, hospital, physician and community in the post-acute care with appropriate linkage of community services / resources. Demonstrates behavior, autonomy and decision making consistent with the values and ethical guidelines of the hospital as well as the professional code of ethics. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values.

Shift : Mon - Fri 7 : 30am - 4pm

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications :

Education :

• Master's degree of Social Work from a School of Social Work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education

Licensure / Certification / Registry :

Experience :

Other Knowledge / Skills / Abilities :

Responsibilities

Principle Duties & Responsibilities :

1. Care Delivery

a. Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary Palliative Care team across the health system to ensure high quality, patient-focused care.

b. Communicates effectively and compassionately with patient, family, and health care team members about serious illness.

c. Demonstrates respect for the patient's views and wishes regarding healthcare treatment.

d. Incorporates ethical principles and professional standards in the care of patients and families experiencing life-limiting, progressive illnesses as well as identifying and advocating for the wishes and preferences of patients and families.

e. Conducts patient and family meetings with the members of the interdisciplinary team to discuss the goals of care, assist with decision making and advance care planning, determine care preferences, and develop patient-centered care plans

f. Work closely and collaboratively with the clinical care team across sites of care

g. Provides consultation to colleagues for complex patient care and family situations

h. Engages pastoral care, ethics, case management, social work, pharmacy, nutrition and other specialties as needed to address the complex needs of palliative care patients.

2. Psychosocial Assessment

a. Conducts patient assessments and develops the plan of care for delivery of serious illness care in collaboration with physician(s) and members of the multidisciplinary care team.

b. Utilizing specialized knowledge and experience, makes assessment of palliative care patients' psychosocial needs, home situation, and economic constraints

3. Counseling

a. Provides crisis intervention and supportive counseling for palliative care patients and their families as needed

b. Assists the patient and family to cope with psychosocial symptoms

c. Provides short-term counseling to patients and families related to serious illness

d. Uses interpersonal skills to coach, inform, negotiate, and solve problems and conflicts as they arise.

4. Community Resources

a. Serve as liaison between patients / families and community agencies

5. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values :

6. Care Transitions

a. Confers with the patient, family, and clinical team to obtain information to coordinate efficient and quality patient care across the continuum

b. Builds relationships with primary care providers, skilled nursing facilities, and the community to promote continuity of care

c. Assures that all necessary information has been transmitted to next provider of care.

7. Support

a. Serves as patient advocate, assisting with navigation of patient eligible resources and programs

b. Provides patients and families with support and information to overcome personal and environmental difficulties which pre-dispose toward illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from medical care

c. Assist patients to effectively utilize available resources to meet their personal health needs and help them develop their own capabilities

8. Advance Care Planning

a. Maintains a working knowledge of relevant medical / legal issues that impact patient care, e.g., advance directives, power of attorney, and guardianships.

9. Documentation

a. Documents all interactions and care provided to patients and families through psychosocial assessments and re-assessments, crisis intervention, individual and / or family counseling, bereavement counseling, emotional support, and discharge planning.

10. Quality

a. Participates in the monitoring of quality and utilization metrics and participates in improvement efforts to refine the delivery of care to maximize clinical, quality, and fiscal outcomes.

11. Education and Training

a. Assists, as needed, in training, new colleague orientation, student education, community education, in-house activities, and general public relations activities.

b. Demonstrates knowledge of care for older adults through accurate assessments, treatment and effective implementation of interventions.

c. Participates in continuing education and in-service training to support professional growth and expertise.

12. Recognizes one's own attitudes, feelings, values, and expectations about death and the individual, cultural, and spiritual diversity existing in these beliefs and customs.

a. Aware of and complies with department and hospital policy and procedures.

13. Adheres to the NASW Code of Ethics

14. Performs other related work as required or requested.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.