Provide Medical Social Services to the patient, family and/or bereaved according to the Plan of Care.

CHARACTERISTIC JOB TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct a psychosocial assessment as part of the comprehensive assessment within 5 days of admission to the program. This includes emotional, social, financial, and environmental resources and to identify appropriate psychosocial problems, interventions, and goals for the patient’s plan of care.
• Development and implementation of the Bereavement Plan of Care for the bereaved following the hospice patient’s death. The Bereavement Plan of Care is developed using: The bereavement assessment, the risk assessment, Input from the IDG re: bereavement issues during care of the patient as well as at the death visit, and Interaction with the bereaved following the patients death.
• Participate in IDG meetings and the development of the patient’s/bereaved’ s plan of care.
• Observe, record and report changes on the patient’s emotional and social factors that are being affected by the patient’s illness and his/her need for care and his/her response to treatment.
• Maintain and submit written clinical records as deemed by Agency, including the initial evaluation, the care plan and daily notes.
• Evaluate the patients and family’s response to, and effectiveness of, the medical social work intervention.
• Confirm, on a weekly basis the scheduling of visits with the patients’ Case Managers to facilitate coordination of other staff visits.
• Participate in IDG and QAPI meetings and activities.
• If the patient/family declines Social Work services, the Social Worker continues to offer support to the IDG in it’s care of the patient and to monitor the patient/caregiver’s evolving needs.
• Participate in discharge planning, as needed.
• Assume responsibility for self-development by continually striving to improve his/her Medical Social Worker practice through formal education, attendance at workshops and conferences, active participation in professional and related organizational meetings, and/or individual research and reading.
• Act as a consultant to the members of the health team, assists them in understanding the social, emotional, and environmental factors related to the patient’s health problems.
• Help patients to utilize the resources of their families and the community.
• Participate in memorial services, grief support groups, community education, preparation of mailings, bereavement calls, bereavement visits, and other services when deemed necessary.
• Provide referrals to community resources and professional services when deemed necessary.
• Must be flexible to accept other duties needed or assigned by the resident or institution.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree from a School of Social Work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education OR
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education along with one year of social work experience in a healthcare setting and will be supervised by an MSW.
• Required state licensure or certification.
• If BSW, one year of social work experience mandatory; if MSW, on year of social work experience preferred.
• Home Health and/or Hospice experience preferred
• Must be a licensed driver with an insured automobile in good working order.
• The ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing.

BENEFITS:

• LECOM’s full time employees enjoy the availability of an industry leading benefits package including:
• Highmark BC/BS Medical Insurance with employee-only coverage costing only $55/ month!
• Full Family Medical Insurance is only $270/month!
• Employees with LECOM Medical Insurance can take advantage of waived co-pays and deductibles at LECOM physicians and Millcreek Community Hospital.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Matching of 100% after completing one year of service!
• Paid time off accruals – vacation and sick
• Life Insurance and AD&D Insurance is provided to all Full Time employees at no cost!
• Employee referral program
• Employee appreciation/recognition events
• Employee assistance program and discounted membership at the LECOM Fitness and Wellness Center

The LECOM Institute for Successful Aging is an Equal Opportunity Employer