Hospice of Montezuma is seeking a part time social worker to help patients and families experiencing end of life and related issues. Candidates must demonstrate excellent assessment skills and enjoy home visits. This position requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or have 1 year of social work experience in a healthcare setting with a degree in psychology or sociology or other field related to social work. Computer skills, flexibility, and teamwork are skills vital for success. Other job skills can be discussed to accommodate a full time position.

General Description: This position as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team is responsible for providing a broad array of services to terminally ill patients and their families.

Level of Responsibility: Works under supervision of the Bereavement Coordinator and an MSW.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works in conjunction with the Hospice Team to ensure that the full spectrum of the client needs are met.
• Performs admissions, psychosocial assessments, crisis interventions, bereavement case management for moderate and high risk individuals, assist with Medicaid or other financial arrangements for care, and other appropriate services to patient and family.
• Responsible for direct services to terminally ill patients and their families.
• Communicates regularly with the primary nurse for case management and the Interdisciplinary Team regarding patient/family and social work services provided.
• Makes presentations to patients/families and community, explaining Hospice benefit and services provided.
• Admits patients to hospice care.
• Assists patient/family in obtaining and utilizing appropriate community resources.
• Assists patient and family with information and decisions regarding advance directives, survivors’ benefits, wills / legal issues, and funeral/burial/cremation arrangements.
• Evaluates adequacy of patient/family resources with regard to costs of medical care and assists in obtaining funding to meet needs.
• Assists in long-term planning to promote achievement of patient goals for remaining life span.
• Assists patient/family in recognition and understanding of significant social and emotional factors related to the end of life and bereavement.
• Participates in Interdisciplinary Team meetings and conferences regarding patient care planning.
• Participates in the orientation, training, and coordination of students, volunteers, and staff as appropriate.
• Participates in staffing complex cases with Care Team members and Executive Director, including referral of patient/family to outside agencies and service providers.
• Coordinates discharge planning for Hospice patients and/or referral to inpatient or nursing home settings.
• Maintains a positive work environment by acting and communicating with internal and external contacts in a manner that actively promotes teamwork, problem resolution, and customer satisfaction.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the primary social worker.

Experience: Minimum of one year supervised experience in the health care field or equivalent during supervised internship and good understanding of community resources.

Qualifications:

• Possession of a Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited program.
• Ability to cope with patient/family emotional stress within the framework of Hospice philosophy.
• Ability to function as an effective member of the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license and unlimited access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to travel within service area without access to public transportation.

OSHA Exposure Category: II