Job Description:

To deliver varied social work services to hospice patients and their families.  To provide continuous support through biopsychosocial assessments.  A hospice social worker is an integral part of the hospice team.

 Essential Functions:

•  Performs initial psychosocial, emotional, spiritual and bereavement assessments and assists in the development and implementation of goal-directed IDG care plan.
•  Conducts ongoing reassessments of patient/family needs and counseling as required.
•  Provides short term crisis intervention and individual or family counseling when indicated.
•  Provides services, under the direction of a physician (who approves plan of care).
•  Participates as a member of the Bereavement Team as assigned.
•  Observes, assesses and brings to IDG conferences information regarding psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, physical and financial conditions affecting the patient and family.
• Assumes the active role of advocate for the patient/family unit.
•  Develop and maintains contact with appropriate community agencies and services in order to promote interagency cooperation and to facilitate related referrals.
•  Documents comprehensive psychosocial, emotional and spiritual assessment clearly and concisely in a timely manner.
•  All patient/family visits, telephone contacts and referral actions are recorded in the patient record per policy.
•  Provides ongoing counseling related to issues of death and dying to the patient and family as needed.
•  Attends staff meetings, IDG and other meetings as assigned and appropriate.
•  Assumes responsibility for own personal and professional development and maintenance of skills in social work.
  
•  Exhibits Hospice philosophy in all job-related roles.
• Assist patient/family with funeral arrangements.
• Assist with End-of-Life Planning.

Qualifications:  

Education: Must possess at minimum Bachelors in Social Work, MSW preferred.

Experience: 1-2 years of experience in a health care setting.

Understanding of Hospice Philosophy and issues related to death and dying.

Must work well with Interdisciplinary team as well as independently.

Reliable transportation with current auto Insurance and a valid driver's license.

Arizona Life Hospice complies with applicable Federal Civil Rights Laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.  Arizona Life Hospice does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.