UMH SPARROW HOSPICE HOUSE SOCIAL WORKER / MSW

General Purpose of Job:

Medical Social Work Services will be provided to all patients, families and/or significant others at the Hospice House. The MSW will address the social-emotional problems, resource deficits, and care needs of the dying patients and their families served by the Hospice House, assisting them to adapt and cope with the social and emotional impact of their terminal disease. The MSW is integrally involved in the informed consent process. The MSW will also counsel and assist in making funeral arrangements and provide the necessary resources pertaining to bereavement.

Essential Duties:

This job description is intended to cover the minimum essential duties assigned on a regular basis. Associates may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned by their leader. Leadership has the right to alter or modify the duties of the position.

• Complete and comprehensive assessment of patient and family needs to identify issues and determine support systems appropriate for each individual Hospice patient.
• Complete psycho/social history of the patients behavioral/cognitive functioning, emotional/mental status, and adjustment to terminal illness.
• Complete and assessment of patient's support systems, finances, living situation, legal concerns including advance directive and patient preferences regarding end of life issues.
• Responsible for initiation of bereavement services, making necessary contacts to appropriate resources.
• Integral part of Interdisciplinary Team making necessary recommendations and participating in the development of the plan of care. Participates in the Interdisciplinary Team in developing a plan of care and making recommendations.
• Provides individual or group counseling to help dying patients and their families adapt to the changes related to their terminal disease by: Providing emotional support to help patients cope; Addressing any and all issues to assist patient and family to come to closure; Developing short and long term plans of intervention as needed; Addressing funeral arrangements or memorial service issues and concerns.
• Assists patients and families with access to appropriate resources and services based on thorough knowledge of community resources and eligibility requirements.
• Assists patients and families in completing applications for financial entitlement.
• Assists with transition to Hospice House by: Assists with discharge planning if needed and facilitates transition to Hospice House; Assists with informed consents and admission process to Hospice House as needed.
• Participates in the quality improvement activities that pertain to the social work services at Hospice House.
• Responsible for supervision and planning, organizing and directing the activities of medical social work services at the Hospice House.
• Prepares and provides in-services regarding psycho/social issues to Hospice staff and the community when requested.
• Is able to demonstrate excellent communication skills with patients, families, and members of the Hospice House Interdisciplinary Team in a professional diplomatic and empathetic manner. Able to provide clear, concise and timely written documentation on the patient's medical record and departmental records.
• Serves as a role model for consistent demonstration of Sparrow Health System's Customer Service Behavioral Standards of Performance, by respecting the Privacy and Confidentiality for those we serve.
• Demonstrates knowledge and respects patient, service provider, and organizational confidentiality procedures and protocols defined under the HIPAA Privacy Policies.
• Follows established HIPAA Privacy Procedures when using and/or disclosing protected health information.
• Maintains and protects patient rights under the HIPAA Privacy Standards.
• Promote the Hospice philosophy and purpose of Hospice House within the Health System and the community.
• Participates in Hospice fund raising activities.
• Participates in Bereavement activities as appropriate