Social Worker/Bereavement Coordinator

Position Summary

The Social Worker and Bereavement Coordinator is responsible for modeling the 3 Company values of Compassion, Integrity, and Excellence, and for promoting the Compassus philosophy, using the 6 Pillars of success as the foundation. S/he is responsible for upholding the Code of Ethical Conduct and for promoting positive working relationships within the Company, among all departments, and all external stakeholders.

The Social Worker provides preventive, educational, and evaluative and treatment services to meet the psychosocial needs of patients and their families, to help them improve, restore, and maintain their maximum level of coping. The Social Worker utilizes community resources and the interdisciplinary team to aid in this process. S/he is responsible for applying the rules and regulations of state and federal regulatory agencies and other certified agencies.

Position Specific Responsibilities

Social Worker Responsibilities:

• Explains hospice services and Medicare benefits to patients and families; obtains Informed Consent and Election of Benefits documents as requested.
• Submits appropriate documentation and paperwork to facilities at the completion of patient visits; documentation is completed and submitted timely
  according to company policy.
• Articulates the regulatory framework governing the role of the Social Worker (federal and state, if applicable).
• Reads and incorporates into practice the policies and procedures for Compassus in the provision of care and services to hospice patients.
• Participates as a member of the IDT, including development and implementation of the plan of care.
• Provides psycho-social support and counseling services to the patient and family; supports the involvement of external counseling resources commensurate with patient/family needs and scope of practice.
• Assists in identifying the need for intervention of other IDT members.
• Effectively communicates patient and family needs to IDT.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment to promote the values of hospice and of Compassus.
• Collaborates with IDT to coordinate psycho-social care and support for the patient and family to ensure appropriateness, continuity, and quality of care.
• Maintains updated, comprehensive care plans which reflect current problems, goals and interventions for patients.
• Maintains respect for the family's environment and belief systems, and remains. nondiscriminatory regarding age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, and other personal matters.
• Completes initial and ongoing psycho-social assessments for patients; identifies and addresses concerns/issues related to:
  • Financial means
  • Insurance
  • Living arrangements/ placement for long-term care
  • Caregiver stressors
  • Pre-bereavement and anticipatory grief
  • Community resource needs
• Facilitates placement in long-term care as warranted and monitors adjustment.
• Participates in care planning meetings at long-term care facilities.
• Supports and facilitates advance planning including:
  • Living will/ POA documents
  • Funeral arrangements
  • Memorial services
  • Body/organ donation
• Supervises social work practicum student.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Bereavement Coordinator Responsibilities:

• Reads and incorporates into practice the policies and procedures for Compassus in the provision of care and services to hospice patients.
• Participates as a member of the IDT, including development and implementation of the plan of care.
• Works with the hospice Social Worker in the completion and analysis of the pre-bereavement risk assessment and care plan development for the patient and the family.
• Promotes and supports assessment of bereavement risk factors at admission and throughout the hospice patient's care.
• Develops and implements the bereavement plan of care after the death of the patient.
• Identifies the needs of non-family caregivers, including staff and residents at nursing facilities where the patient may have resided, and ensures bereavement support for them.
• Assists in identifying the need for intervention of other IDT members.
• Effectively communicates patient and family needs to IDT.
• Provides education about bereavement services to members of the IDT.
• Recognizes issues or concerns and escalates appropriately.
• Prepares reports, in-services, and other documents to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of the bereavement program as requested.
• Delivers high quality bereavement support, either with internal resources or through outreach to community resources when needed.
• Develops, organizes and delivers grief support groups either independently or in association with other grief support resources in the community.
• Maintains a resource library of materials appropriate to various bereaved individuals, including those with high-risk or disenfranchised grief - provides materials as part of routine bereavement contacts and upon request.
• Documents care and services provided according to state and/or federal requirements.
• Works with Volunteer Coordinator to identify opportunities for volunteers to participate in bereavement support activities.
• Attends and participates in community events, promoting Compassus and the universal need for grief and bereavement support.
• Develops and performs public service announcements regarding grief and bereavement.
• Provides bereavement counseling and support, based on personal qualifications, when needed.
• Develops and delivers memorial services for program patients.
• Develops and supports delivery of memorial services for patients of nursing facilities served by the program.
• Participates in funeral or other memorial services if requested by family.
• Manages expenses of bereavement program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Social Work, or Master of Science in Social Work, degree highly preferred; unless otherwise stated by state specific requirements.
• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, or other field related to social work in addition to one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting and is supervised by an MSW may be considered; unless otherwise stated by state specific requirements.
• At least one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting highly preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in the provision of grief, loss and/or bereavement support for individuals and families required; equivalent combination of specialized training, education, and experience may be considered.

Skills

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leaders, colleagues, investors, and external parties. Strong written and verbal communications.
• Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. Articulates and embraces hospice philosophy. Clinical experience or training related to death, dying, and bereavement. Strong organizational and time management skills. Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include nights and weekends.

State Specific Requirements
Alabama

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Arizona

• If independent counseling needed, license required but not mandatory for hospice.

California

• Social Worker: If independent counseling needed, license required but not mandatory for hospice.
• Bereavement Coordinator: Evidence of experience and/or education in dealing with issues of grief and loss.

Connecticut

• Evidence of experience or education in counseling individuals dealing with issues of grief and loss.

Georgia

• Social Worker: BSW from an accredited school of social work is minimum education required but must be supervised by MSW; OR if MSW, must have license if it has been (1) year since graduation.
• Bereavement Coordinator: Licensed professional counselor (LPC) or Licensed social worker (LMSW, LCSW), or education/ experience specific to the counseling of individuals dealing with grief and loss.

Illinois

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Indiana

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Kansas

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Louisiana

• MSW from an accredited school of social work is minimum education required; AND current valid licensure as a SW in the state (LMSW).

Maine

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Massachusetts

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Michigan

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Mississippi

• Social Worker: Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.
• Bereavement Coordinator:
  • Bachelor's degree in psychology; or
  • Bachelor's degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or
  • Bachelor's degree in counseling; or
  • Evidence of equivalent of any of the above in education, plus training in the spiritual care of the dying and end of life issues

Missouri

• BSW from an accredited school of social work is minimum education required but must be supervised by MSW.

Montana

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

New Hampshire

• Social Worker: If independent counseling for clinical social work needed, LCSW required.
• Bereavement Coordinator:
  • Bachelor's degree in an applicable field such as theology of education, psychology, or counseling; AND
  • Completed 8 additional hours in death, dying, grief, or bereavement

New Jersey

• Licensure required to practice social work; LMSW or LCSW.

New Mexico

• Licensure required to practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, or LCSW.

Ohio

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Oklahoma

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

South Carolina

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Texas

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Virginia

• If independent counseling for clinical social work needed, LCSW required.

West Virginia

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW.

Wisconsin

• Licensure required to be titled "social worker" or practice social work; LBSW or LCSW.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a colleague to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the colleague is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk and hear. The colleague frequently is required to stand, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The colleague is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The colleague must frequently lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a colleague encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. There will be possible exposure to infectious diseases through working with clinical caregivers. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

At Compassus, including all Compassus affiliates, diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our Pillars of Success. We are committed to creating a fair work environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, highly valued, and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pay Range: