Social Worker-Home Care [NonExempt]

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

          Joy                         Care                      Competence                    Respect

Position Summary

Social Worker-Home Care will coordinate and provide social services for patients of all ages in their homes.  Social workers play an essential role in many of the aspects of patient care, including helping patients and their families navigate the medical system, assessing and monitoring patients' and family members' mental and emotional health, providing short term counseling and therapy, and communicating patient needs and concerns to the larger medical team.  The services will be provided in accordance with the philosophy, mission, standards, policies, and procedures of the home care service and as ordered by the physician.

Master’s Degree in Social Work is required.

2 years in social service field is required.

1 year of social work experience in a health care setting with home care experience is preferred. 

3 years of discharge planning is preferred.

Licensed as a Social Worker in the state of practice is required. 

Basic Life Support (BLS) is required.

Valid drivers license, automobile insurance and own transportation to make home visits is required. 

Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills in order to meet strict deadlines.

Ability to lead others using excellent collaboration and team building skills.  Effectively delivers constructive feedback. Quickly trouble-shoots and resolves problems or escalates appropriately.

Demonstrated written communication skills, strong verbal communication and listening skills, effective interpersonal skills, ability to build strong relationships.

Skill in talking to others to convey information effectively.

Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.

Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships.

Makes home visits to conduct a thorough and objective evaluation of patient's current status including a functional assessment covering such elements as physical, psychosocial, environmental, financial, spiritual, primary care giver, learning capabilities/self-care and compliance to medical treatment. Communicates with physicians to report patient progress, needs, concerns, and potential and actual problems. Maintains accurate and timely records including clinical and progress notes according to department policy.

Assists the practitioner and other Hospice team members to understand the spiritual, emotional, and social factors related to the patient’s health problems so that each patient’s plan of care fosters spiritual wellbeing and human dignity for the patient and family's ability to cope. 

Implements the Plan of Care provisions to meet patient and family needs, which include social service goals for alleviating problems, supportive counseling, problem solving, community referrals pre-bereavement and bereavement care.

Acts as resource person for other members of the health care team, providing in-service education and consultation in understanding the social and emotional factors related to health problems.

Participates in planning and implementing quality improvement activities.

Provides consultative activities to assure that medically-related social service needs of patients/clients/residents are identified and that the needs are met by the appropriate disciplines.

Synthesizes assessment data and analyzes data to make clinical judgments regarding patient management.

Develops specific, measurable, realistic plans and objectives, which enhance social service delivery.

Possess the information, skill, and understanding of the work to be performed.  Actively participates in continuing education opportunities and maintains certifications, licensure as appropriate.

Reduces the risk of healthcare acquired infections through compliance with current CDC hand hygiene guidelines and facility policies including the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), if applicable.  Utilizes standard precautions during patient contact and when handling contaminated materials.  Demonstrates compliance with National Patient Safety Goals.

Complies with all standards, policies and procedures including dress code, attendance and punctuality.  Attends required in-services and meetings and completes all mandatory competencies by deadline.  Commits to keeping all patient, student or colleague information confidential and maintains excellent interpersonal communication with the health care team colleagues.

Emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care-attending to body, mind, and spirit while upholding ethical principles with patient care and all other aspects of work.  Actively involves the patient and family in decisions about care.  Promotes quality care by participating in organizational councils/committees and/or support of related process.  Documents services provided to patients in the electronic medical record in accordance with policy and requirements. 

The purpose of this job description is to provide a summary of the major responsibilities performed by colleagues in this position. Colleagues may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description.  Variances in job duties performed may exist between facilities, and colleagues may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the organization.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical, Mental and Environmental Requirements Category:

Allied Health

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Lifting

X

50 lbs

Carrying

X

50 lbs

Pushing

X

50 lbs

Pulling

X

50 lbs

Climbing

X

Balancing

X

Stooping

X

Kneeling

X

Crouching

X

Crawling

X

Reaching

X

Use of Hands/Dexterity

X

Talking

X

Hearing

X

Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination

X

Extreme Cold

X

Extreme Heat

X

Humid

X

Wet

X

Noise

X

Hazards

X

Temperature Change

X

Positions in this category may experience a temperature change in his/her work environment.

Atmospheric Conditions

X

Vibration

X

Other