Medical Social Worker – Msw – Hospice

Medical Social Worker – Msw – Hospice

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited school of social work.
• Strong clinical assessment and counseling skills, particularly in end-of-life care and grief support.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Knowledge of community resources and services available to patients and families.
• Exceptional empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to manage crisis situations and provide support under challenging circumstances.
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to work independently and manage a caseload of patients in various settings (home, facility, etc.).
• Must pass background.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional, psychological, and social support to patients and families dealing with terminal illness and end-of-life issues.
• Offer individual, family, and group counseling to help patients and caregivers manage grief, fear, and anxiety.
• Assist families in coping with the challenges of caregiving and navigating the emotional, social, and practical aspects of hospice care.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team (physicians, nurses, chaplains, and others) to develop and implement personalized care plans.
• Help patients and families with advance care planning, including discussions about advance directives, comfort care options, and goals for end-of-life care.
• Advocate for patient rights and ensure that care aligns with patient and family wishes, values, and cultural preferences.
• Provide crisis intervention when needed to address urgent emotional, psychological, or social needs.
• Identify and connect families with community resources, financial assistance, legal support, and respite care services.
• Assist families with navigating healthcare systems and accessing necessary services.
• Offer ongoing grief support and counseling to family members before and after the patient’s death, including providing post-bereavement follow-up care.
• Facilitate grief support groups or individual counseling sessions to help families adjust to the loss.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient interactions, care plans, assessments, and progress.
• Ensure that care provided meets regulatory requirements and adheres to hospice policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in hospice, palliative care, or end-of-life care preferred, but not required.