Palliative Care Social Worker - Palliative Care - Full Time/Varied - Req# 2047140177

Brief Description

Job Objective:

The Palliative Care Social Worker provides and coordinates psycho-social support to patients through the palliative care services consult team. The Palliative Care Social Worker serves as an integral member of the healthcare team providing assessments, coordination, treatment planning, information and referral to community resources and other social work services to meet the complex needs of patients and families in the hospital setting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Performs/documents psychosocial assessment.
• Assists the palliative care team and/or directly facilitates patient-family meetings for goal setting and care planning.
• Participates in discharge planning process.
• Coordinates educational and outreach services relevant to the social service -palliative care interface.
• Participates in palliative care quality improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate and navigate bereavement support and programs
• Provides liaison function between palliative care team and hospital quality improvement, discharge planning, and social service departments.
• Provides liaison function between palliative care team and community hospice, home care agencies, long-term care facilities and other community services as needed.
• Attends monthly and periodic team meetings for the operational and administrative functions of the palliative care service.
• Oversee improvement projects related to advanced illness planning including the Public Hospital Redesign and Incentives in Medi-Cal (PRIME) and others as assigned.
  
  

Information Systems Management

• Understands departmental information systems and other equipment as necessary
• Understands advanced aspects of various information systems
• Understands and conforms to the hospital Information Technology solutions Group strategic plan
  

Competence

• Maintains an appropriate level of professional competence by ongoing development of knowledge and skills
• Performs professional duties in accordance with relevant laws, regulations and technical standards
• Prepares complete, clear reports and recommendation after appropriate analyses of relevant and reliable information
• Palliative Care Coordinator shall be the immediate supervisor with assistance from the Manager of Social Work or designee for addition resources i.e. supervision and/or community resources.
  

Confidentiality

• Refrains from disclosing confidential information acquired in the course of work, except when authorized and unless legally obligated to do so.
• Refrains from using or appearing to use confidential information acquired in the course of work for unethical or illegal advantage either personally or through third parties
• Follow Administrative policies on Confidentiality and Privacy Practices
• Informs subordinates, as appropriate, regarding the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of their work and monitors their activities to assure the maintenance of confidential information
  

Integrity

• Regularly demonstrates commitment to a set of ethics and values by behaving in an ethical manner that is consistent with the hospital’s mission, vision and values
• Avoids actual or apparent conflicts of interest and advises all appropriate parties of any potential conflict
• Refrains from engaging in any activity that would prejudice the ability to carry out one’s duties in an ethical manner
• Refuses any gift, favor or hospitality that would influence or would appear to influence one’s actions
• Recognizes and communicates professional limitations or other constraints that would preclude responsible judgment or successful performance of an activity
• Communicates unfavorable as well as favorable information and professional judgment or opinions in a professional manner
• Fully discloses relevant information that could reasonably be expected to influence intended users’ understanding of any reports, comments, and/or recommendations presented
  

Non-Essential Duties:

• Assist with other duties as assigned, within skill set and abilities.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Cultural and Ethical issues related to serious, progressive illness
• Knowledge of End-of-Life Care, cultural and spiritual diversity
• Comprehensive understanding of Advanced Directives and POLST
• Knowledge of Community Outreach Programs and Resources
  
  

Skills

• Skill and ability in preparation and presentation of training and educational material to individuals as well as group assembly.
• Skill and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office
• Skill and ability to follow the established Customer Service Expectations and Standards.
  
  

Abilities

• Organizational Agility: ability to leverage resources and influence individuals to accomplish assigned tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to demonstrate personal motivation and initiative.
• Ability to use effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team in order to therapeutically address and accurately convey the palliative care needs of patients and families.
  
  

AVMC Values: All AVMC employees will effectively demonstrate these values:

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone. Success is about the whole team.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.
  
  

Education and Experience:

Education

• Masters in Social Work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• EPEC ( Education on Palliative Care and End of Life Care ) Certification is preferred
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of direct patient and/or family support.
• Experience in a hospice agency or designated inpatient/outpatient palliative care unit is preferred.
  
  

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Current Registration as an ACSW (Associate Clinical Social Worker) with the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider certification
  
  

AVMC Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

• Ability to adhere with AVMC Absenteeism and Tardiness Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Leaves of Absence Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVCM Recording of Hours Worked Policy
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards
• Conforms to AVMC Standards of Excellence
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVMC
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
• Conforms with required and appropriate Joint Commission requirements
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines
• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education
• Display a willingness to work as a team player
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVMC Board of Directors
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its established policies.
• Ability to follow the Code of Conduct
  
  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work performed in a busy patient environment.
• Work often performed under conditions of emotional and physical stress.
  
  

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

Requirements

Education

• Masters in Social Work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• EPEC ( Education on Palliative Care and End of Life Care ) Certification is preferred
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of direct patient and family support in a hospice agency or designated inpatient/outpatient palliative care unit
  
  

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Current Registration as an ACSW (Associate Clinical Social Worker) with the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider certification