Hospice Social Worker
Tufts Medicine
Hospice Social Worker
Tufts Medicine
Integrated health system delivering connected care
Job Profile Summary
This role focuses on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of patients and can provide services if necessary. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Social Work duties: Provides social work assistance to patients and families relating to illness, disease, hospitalization and life events in all areas of service as a member of multi-disciplinary team and in liaison with community resources. Responsibilities also include identification, assessment, and coordination of cases and anticipation of needs related to illness, hospitalization, finances, education, and home/community service. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. An experienced level role that applies practical knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Works independently with general supervision, problems faced are difficult but typically not complex, and may influence others within the job area through explanation of facts, policies and practices.
Job Overview
This position provides a range of clinical social work services to patients/clients and families in inpatient, ambulatory and community settings utilizing individual, family or group modalities and practicing within the guidelines of professional social work ethics and standards. Participates in a multi-discipline case conferences. Consult with agency care providers regarding social service needs of clients and families.
Job Description
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited institution.
2. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Licensure in NH may be required depending on assigned territory and operational need.
3. One (1) year of related experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Three (3) years of related experience.
Hours: Part-Time, 24hrs/week
Location: Southern New Hampshire
Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
1. Provides psychosocial assessment of the individual and family, including limitations, deficits and strengths in their current situation and environment, as well as functional level. May conduct a psychiatric social work assessment according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Develops treatment plans with appropriate and competent interventions.
2. Responsible for psychosocial assessments and interventions in crisis situations that often involve issues of suicide, homicide, family violence, elder or child abuse.
3. Demonstrates sound clinical judgment in assessing the patient's needs for long-term care, including evaluating the home and family situation, helping the patient and family to develop an in-home care plan, exploring alternatives to in-home care and arranging for placement if necessary.
4. Provides treatment, therapy, psycho-education and/or counseling utilizing individual, family or group modalities.
5. Provides information, referral and creative resource acquisition for specific individual and family needs both within the Hospital and in the community as indicated. Assists patients/families to understand psychosocial factors impeding their maximal utilization of hospital and community resources.
6. Collaborates with and provides psychosocial consultation to the health care team to promote a smooth, coordinated plan of care. Aids the team in understanding and integrating the significance of psychosocial factors in relation to patient's illness, treatment and recovery. Identifies psychosocial issues that may impede progress. Makes recommendations to the team regarding patient/family care and management. Assists health care team to assist patient/family level of understanding to make informed decisions.
7. Provides medical social services to the patient’s family member or caregiver on a short-term basis when necessary to remove a clear and direct impediment to the effective treatment of the patient’s medical condition or rate of recovery.
8. Treats patients and families with dignity and respect at all times. Offers time for questions and answers; demonstrates empathy in communication while working toward optimal health goals.
9. Provides outreach, case finding/screening for high-risk issues that may impact on patient's progress, participation in plan, discharge or ability to utilize resources.
10. Assists with discharge planning issues to ensure continuity of care. Formulates, coordinates and implements the psychosocial components of outpatient care.
11. Consults, collaborates and communicates with a wide range of social, governmental and legal agencies, courts, schools, clinics, other hospitals, physicians and other sources.
12. Serves as a patient/family advocate with a variety of systems both internally and externally as required. May be called upon to testify in court.
13. Ensures clinical documentation is complete and according to departmental standards. Performs other administrative documentation and record keeping, such as accountability and statistical reports, billing forms, student intern evaluations, performance evaluations, etc. in complete and timely manner.
14. Initiates policy and program development in specific service area or team, utilizing knowledge of state-of-the-art programs and promoting social work values such as patient self-determination and social justice. Initiates, participates in and supports policy and program development in the Department of Social Work Services.
15. Actively engages in the regularly scheduled meetings, programs and activities of the Department. Serves on departmental committees. Represents the profession and Department in hospital and community meetings and committees.
16. Participates in social work professional education, supervision and teaching activities; supervises or trains staff social workers, student interns, house staff, nurses, medical students, and volunteers as required.
17. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment
18. Continually monitors, assesses and modifies his/her own social work practice and programs. Conducts quality improvement activities and research regarding service delivery and effectiveness of interventions, as required.
19. Conducts or participates in professional organizations, grant writing, teaching, public presentations, seminars and workshops. May supervise staff social workers, social work associates, social work interns, parent consultants, house staff, nurses, medical students and volunteers as required. Responsible for making recommendations to the Director of Social Work Services regarding service delivery gaps, systemic issues and program development.
20. Ensures compliance within guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies (DPH, ERISA etc.) and demonstrates compliance with Home Health Foundation policies and procedures. Practices confidentiality principles set by the agency and federal HIPAA/HITECH guidelines.
Physical Requirements:
1. Normal office setting.
Skills & Abilities:
1. Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.
2. Knowledge of casework process and community resources in relation to health (including mental health), illness, and disability.
3. Knowledge of current social work theory and practice, the ability to apply treatment and case management methods, and familiarity with community issues and resources.
4. Understanding of organizational theory and practice in large systems and the knowledge of social and health care policies and systems.
5. High degree of diagnostic, treatment, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
6. Analytical skills required assessing patient needs, to develop associated treatment modalities and to provide effective counseling.
7. Computer skills and knowledge of general office programs, spreadsheet programs, database programs, and presentation programs (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).
8. Ability to read/write and communicate in English.
9. Excellent interpersonal skills.
10. Ability to function well in very busy situations.
11. Responsible and reliable.
12. Good organization skills.
What We Offer
About Care at Home:
Tufts Medicine Care at Home is a proud member of Tufts Medicine, a health system that is rethinking how academic and community centers, local and national businesses, and technology and service innovators can all work together. So that clinicians can deliver expert care where it’s needed most and so that we can bring wellness back to health care, one person at a time.
About Tufts Medicine
A healthcare system that works Tufts Medicine is more than a health system — we’re a community that empowers people to live their best lives by reimagining healthcare, advancing knowledge and pioneering discovery. Every team member plays an integral role in realizing our vision of creating the most equitable and frictionless healthcare experience in the world. Here, you’ll join an enthusiastic community that champions your growth and receive generous benefits to support you and your family’s well-being.
Tufts Medicine is an equal opportunity employer
At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day.
The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.
Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth—one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.
Pay Range:
$72,371.94 - $90,464.92based on full-time equivalent
Integrated health system delivering connected care
Tufts Medicine is an integrated health system in Massachusetts that brings together academic medical centers with community hospitals, a large home care network, and a wide physician network to coordinate care. It operates by aligning hospitals, doctors, and home care under a single strategy so patients can move smoothly across settings and receive consistent, lower-cost care. Its differentiator is the combination of academic medicine with broad community care and a focus on connected, low-friction patient experiences. The goal is to provide the highest quality care at the lowest possible cost, expand access, and transform how people engage with healthcare.
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