I. GENERAL SUMMARY

The Medical Social Worker is an individual who meets the qualifications for a Social Worker and provides services in accordance with the Medical Director and Plan of Care.

II. MISSION STATEMENT

This facility is operated by Allegiance Healthcare Hospice and Palliative Care. Our Mission is to provide the highest standard of care to our patients and the entire community that surrounds each patient. We strive to holistically meet their spiritual, social and clinical needs in the most peaceful, dignified and comforting manner possible.

III. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

The social worker shall assist the physician and other IDT members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to the patient’s health status and shall include, but not limited to:

a. Assessment of the social and emotional factors having an impact on the patient’s health status;

b. Assist in the formulation of the POC;

c. Provides services within the scope of practice as defined by state law and in accordance with the POC;

d. Coordination with other IDT members and participate in IDT conferences;

e. Prepare clinical and/or progress notes and incorporate them into the clinical record within one week of the visit

f. Participate in discharge planning, and in-service programs related to the needs of the patient;

g. Act as a consultant to other members of the IDT; and

h. When medical social services are discontinued, submit a written summary of services provided, including an assessment of the patient's current status, to be retained in the clinical record.

IV. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

QUALIFICATIONS:

The social worker shall be an individual who holds a current, valid license as a social worker (LMSW) issued by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LSBSWE), has master’s degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, and who meets the following:

a. Has at least one year of health care experience

b. Has documented clinical experience appropriate to the counseling and casework needs of the terminally ill;

c. Shall be an employee of the hospice; and

d. When the social worker is employed by one or more agencies, he/she shall inform all employers and cooperate and coordinate duties to assure the highest performance of quality when providing services to the patient.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING

The social worker shall annually obtain two hours of continuing education hours related to end of life care including but not limited to the following topics:

a. Medicare/Medicaid regulations;

b. Psychosocial issues;

c. Community resources/services;

d. Death and dying;

e. Family/patient dynamics;

f. Ethics; and

g. Advanced directives and LAPOST.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

1. Has not been excluded from participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

2. Maintains eligibility to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs throughout employment

3. Capable of providing emergency care as needed for any patient

4. Maintains a neat, well groomed appearance at all times. Keeps personal appearance appropriate for patient care.

5. Ability and willingness to participate appropriately in a disaster or evacuation situation.

6. Participate in pre-employment and annual Tuberculosis screening.

MENTAL DEMANDS

1. Concentration/Attentiveness

2. Independent Judgment and Discretion

3. Read and comprehend instructions/work orders

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Use the percentages range as follows:

0% Never

1-33% Occasional

34-66% Frequent

67-100% Continuous

Requires full range of body motion including:

1. Standing/walking: Frequently. Worker will be spending considerable time up and about in the facility doing various tasks per job description.

2. Bending/Stooping: Frequently. Worker will be bending or stooping to work with supplies, preparation of documents, filing, working with clinical records, etc.

3. Lifting Handling: Occasionally/ Worker will be lifting/handling supplies to do inventory, restock, ordering, as well as filing and auditing of clinical records, etc. Range of weight: 1-50 pounds.

4. Carrying: Occasionally. Worker will be carrying clinical records, manuals and supplies, etc. Range of weight: 1-50 pounds.

5. Pushing/Pulling. Occasionally. Worker will be pushing/pulling on various supplies storing, moving and taking inventory of supplies as well as with clinical records filing, auditing, preparing for each month, etc. Range of weight: 1-50 pounds.

6. Balancing: Frequently: Worker will be balancing supplies to be stored, moved from storage to using area, etc. When moving records from active to inactive status or during auditing periods, worker will be balancing legal documents that are not secure.

7. Pivoting/Turning: Frequently. Worker will be pivoting and turning to stock supplies, handle records, etc.

8. Crouching/Stooping: Frequently. Worker will be crouching/stooping to file records, working with supplies to restock inventory of supplies, etc.

9. Kneeling: Occasionally. Worker will be kneeling to file records, stock and inventory supplies, etc.

10. Reaching: filing administrative folders, records; nursing file folders.

A. Greater than shoulder height. Occasionally

B. Equal to shoulder height. Occasionally

C. Less than shoulder height. Occasionally

11. Manual Dexterity: Continuously. Worker will be using fine and gross motor dexterity skills in all of job requirements

12. Speaking/Hearing Continuously: Worker must be able to communicate with seeing: co-workers, residents, families, public, etc. Face to face as well as in telephone communication.

V. WORKING CONDITIONS

A. Location: (Facility name and address to written in) Allegiance HealthCare Hospice and Palliative Care 940 W. BonTemps St. Marksville, La 71351; work will be mostly indoors, with frequent to occasional outdoor requirements. Adequate lighting and ventilation are provided in work areas.

B. May be exposed to communicable diseases and/or body fluids, medical preparations, toxic substances.

C. Sits, stands, bends and moves intermittently during working hours.

D. Subject to interruptions.

E. May encounter hostile and emotionally upset individuals through communication and involvement with residents, family members, staff members, visitors, and the public.

F. May be subject to falls, burns from equipment, infectious and communicable disease, body fluids, medical preparations, hazardous or toxic substances, odors, and other hazards to health, throughout the shift or time worked.

Job Type: Full-time

Medical Specialty:

Hospice & Palliative Medicine

Schedule:

Monday to Friday
On call
Weekends as needed

License/Certification:

Licensed Medical Social Worker (License Required)