A Family, School, or General Social Worker provides specialized assistance to vulnerable families and children. Intervenes in crisis situations; evaluates individual and family needs, helps clients get access to health care, mental health care or social services such as housing assistance. Advocates for clients and provides follow up visits. May work with teachers, parents and school administrators to help students improve academically and deal with social issues such as bullying.
Responsible for assessing the social, emotional, personal and environmental factors of children through geriatrics, which influences patient/family ability to cope with a terminal illness in the home and inpatient setting. Under the general supervision of the Social Services Coordinator. Employee is subject to being on call, call back, and overtime as required by the hospital.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Provides social work care across all settings and levels of care. Acts as a liaison with community social service agencies. Participates in the recruitment and interviewing of staff. Participates in the implementation and evaluation of the Quality Assurance Program. Performs initial patient/family psycho-social and pre risk bereavement assessments in a timely manner.. Participates in the ongoing assessment of patient/family psycho-social, emotional, and financial needs. Provides supportive and therapeutic counseling to patient and family in coping with stresses related to preparation for and coping with death of the patient in both settings. Attends and participates in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings. Participates in developing plan of care for patient/family, both as a consultant and also as a person actively involved in providing direct services. Assists members of the interdisciplinary care team to understand the significant social and emotional factors related to the patient's health care. Documents and communicates observations and actions in a timely manner on patient's medical record. Refers patients/families to appropriate human service resources and follows up to ascertain need fulfillment, assuming an advocacy role, when indicated, to facilitate holistic care. Resources include financial, health, educational, relief aid, and equipment. Serves as resource for members of the Hospice team about service available in the community for meeting psychosocial economic needs of the patient. Refers timely, comprehensive information to the bereavement program. Participates in facilitation of family group support sessions. Maintains and communicates knowledge of current standards of psychosocial care of the dying and grieving. Participates in appropriate community service and education projects. Participates in workshops relevant to hospice care. Participates in the orientation of hospice staff and Social Work interns. Performs related responsibilities as required or directed.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
EDUCATION:
Bachelor's Degree from school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
LICENSURE, REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION
Valid state driver's license as well as current automobile liability insurance required. Licensed in Social Work or in the process of obtaining licensure is preferred.
EXPERIENCE
At least 1 year casework experience in a health care facility preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Must be mentally alert, emotionally mature, reliable, and self-motivated individual. Basic computer skills preferred.
NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE STATEMENT
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. West Tennessee Healthcare complies with federal, state, and/or local laws regarding mandatory vaccination of its workforce. If you are offered a position and must be vaccinated under any applicable law, you will be required to show proof of full vaccination or obtain an approval of a religious or medical exemption prior to your start date. If you receive an exemption from the vaccination requirement, you will be required to follow West Tennessee Healthcare's accommodation precautions to mitigate the spread of illness.
