Social Worker, MSW

Hospice of San Joaquin is the oldest not-for-profit hospice of 40 years.  We serve all of San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.  We are committed to continuing to be the leader in ensuring the quality of the journey, from a serious illness through end of life, and to honor our mission by honoring life by ensuring patients and their Caregivers are the focus of everything we do.  We are seeking a Dynamic, self-motivated Social Worker, MSW, who thrives in a fast-paced environment and to support our mission.  This is a Full-Time position.

POSITION PURPOSE/SUMMARY:
Provides psychosocial support, counseling, and bereavement support to patients, families, and caregivers and identifies and coordinates community resource needs.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY/ACCOUNTABILITY CLINICAL SERVICES:
Ensure that patient/family psychosocial issues are addressed and that community resource needs are identified for each patient/family.
1. Performs and completes patient/family psychosocial assessments consistent with Hospice of San Joaquin's Policies and Procedures.
2. Contribute to the IDT in establishing the plan of care on the basis of a complete and ongoing psychosocial assessment.
3. Provides direct clinical treatment services to patients/families, as indicated by diagnostic management and plan of care. Such services include, but are not limited to, case management and/or counseling.
4. Provides clinical consultation to the IDT members and health care staff and collaborates with community referral agencies/persons, observing confidentiality regulations and policies.
5. Identifies and coordinates community referrals required to support or enhance the treatment of patients/families.
6. Documents clinical services rendered to or on behalf of the patient/family according to Hospice of San Joaquin’s policies and procedures.
7. Participates in weekly IDT meetings.
8. Works with the Bereavement Coordinator or as the Bereavement Coordinator designee to provide bereavement and/or anticipatory grief counseling/therapy to patients/families.
9. Facilitates Caregiver and Bereavement Support Groups for patients/families and the community.

TEACHING AND SUPERVISION:
Facilitates understanding of Hospice and issues of grief/loss for patients/families, staff, and volunteers.
1. Educates patients, families, and other professionals about Hospice philosophy and services as defined by Hospice of San Joaquin’s Policies.
2. Educates IDT members regarding psychological, social, and spiritual issues of terminal illness, loss, and grief.
3. Orients and assists in monitoring and supervising Social Work students and new employees.
4. Participates in the training of patient care volunteers and appropriate community groups/agencies regarding the psychosocial and spiritual components of Hospice care.
5. Attends and participates in the in-service training provided by Hospice of San Joaquin quarterly. Periodically conducts in-service training for staff and volunteers, and/or helps the staff in arranging in-service education relating to Social Work.

IDT COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION:
Ensure continuity of care to patients/families by effectively collaborating and communicating with IDT members and the patient/family/caregivers.
1. Attends IDT weekly meetings and actively participates in discussions related to patient family care, including psychosocial, spiritual, grief, and bereavement.
2. Recognizes the knowledge, skills, and input of each discipline represented on the team and advocates for the most appropriate team member(s) intervention(s) with the patient/family/caregivers.
3. Communicates with the primary physician, IDT members, and other agencies as needed to coordinate optimal care and optimal use of resources for the patient/family.
4. Identifies the need for consulting with other team members and volunteers regarding patient/family issues and follows through.
5. Functions as a patient/family advocate.
6. Interacts with IDT and other health care professionals to promote and enhance positive relationships.
7. Identifies and communicates specific Hospice learning needs to the Patient Care Coordinator and contributes to plans to meet these needs.
8. Contributes to annual volunteer evaluation for individuals with whom he/she has interacted.
 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
1. Health Screening
2. TB Screening
3. Hepatitis B Series offered
4. Background Check
5. Reference Check
6. Immunizations
7. Drug Screening

JOB QUALIFICATIONS
1. Must have a Master of Social Work Degree from a graduate school of Social Work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

2. Knowledge of group process and ability to facilitate an IDT approach to clinical and administrative duties.

3. Skilled in both written and verbal communication.

4. Knowledge of community resources.

5. Knowledge of child and elder abuse reporting requirements and other significant legislation and laws relating to Hospice practice.

6. Knowledge and understanding of the individual, child, and family development, human behavior and communication, the influence of culture and values of Social Work practice, psychotherapy, case management, and the relationship between Social Work practice and medicine.

7. Computer literacy in word processing on the IBM compatibles is preferred.

8. CPR Training

9. Spanish Bilingual preferred

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
1. Vehicle – Ability and willingness to drive own vehicle, have a valid California driver’s license, and have automobile insurance, which meets State standards. All employee volunteers, consultants, and consultant volunteers who drive need to provide Hospice of San Joaquin evidence of insurance. This is necessary to be covered on the agency’s non-owned auto policy.
2. Mobility – Frequent operation of a keyboard and sitting for long periods of time; occasional standing for long periods of time, walking, pushing/pulling,
bending/squatting, driving, climbing ladders or stairs, and crawling.
3. Frequency of Lifting – Occasional lifting of 5 to 35 lbs.
4. Visual Requirements – Constant use of overall vision; the frequent need for color perception, hand/eye coordination, reading/close-up work, and field of vision.
5. Hearing/Talking – Frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing the telephone, talking in person and on the telephone; occasional hearing of faint sounds.
6. Emotional/Physiological Factors – Frequent public contact, decision-making, concentration, and working alone; occasional exposure to emergency situations (including death), heights, and hazardous materials.
7. Ability to participate in the evaluation(s) of own performance by identifying strengths and weaknesses and by developing a plan to improve areas of weakness.
8. Environmental Conditions – Occasional exposure to noise, dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, poor ventilation, cold, and heat.

We offer a great benefits package to our staff, such as:

• Competitive hospice industry compensation
• Benefits package with multiple plan offerings and generous employer contribution
• 401(k) Retirement plan with employer match
• AFLAC insurance plans
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Fitness Center membership discount
• Employee Assistance Programs (ESP)
• Supportive work culture which encourages work-life balance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Monthly mileage reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program

If you are interested in being part of a dynamic team and helping us continue to be the leader in ensuring the quality of the journey, from a serious illness through end of life, and to honor our mission by honoring life by ensuring patients and their Caregivers are the focus of everything we do, we encourage you to apply.  To learn more about Hospice of San Joaquin, please visit our website at  www.hospiceofsanjoaquin.org