Hospice Medical Social Worker

About the role

Bring your clinical expertise and compassion to one of healthcare's most meaningful specialties. As a Hospice Medical Social Worker, you'll provide essential psychosocial support to patients facing terminal illness and help families navigate one of life's most challenging transitions with dignity, preparation, and emotional support. This role is perfect for a licensed MSW who wants to practice the full scope of clinical social work - conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments, providing crisis intervention, facilitating advance care planning, and offering grief counseling. You'll be a vital member of our interdisciplinary team, helping ensure that emotional, social, and practical needs are addressed alongside medical care.

Responsibilities

• Provide Expert Psychosocial Assessment and Support
• Conduct initial psychosocial evaluations within 5 days of hospice admission
• Assess family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, and coping mechanisms
• Identify high-risk situations including potential for suicide, neglect, or abuse
• Continuously re-evaluate patients' and families' psychosocial needs throughout care
• Provide crisis intervention when necessary
• Deliver Clinical Counseling Services
• Counsel patients and families on stress management and coping difficulties
• Help families navigate the emotional challenges of terminal illness and impending loss
• Assess cultural needs and educate the interdisciplinary team on cultural considerations
• Address communication barriers, family roles, traditions, and cultural sensitivities
• Provide bereavement support and coordinate ongoing grief services
• Facilitate Advance Care Planning
• Educate patients and families about advance directives and decision-making
• Assist with preparation of advance care documents
• Help families plan for funeral arrangements and end-of-life wishes
• Support decision-making around financial, legal, and healthcare responsibilities
• Navigate complex family dynamics during difficult conversations
• Coordinate Resources and Referrals
• Assess practical and environmental needs of patients and families
• Connect families with community resources and support services
• Provide information and referral services for financial, legal, and practical assistance
• Assist with hospital discharge coordination to home or facility settings
• Identify and address barriers to quality care
• Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Team
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings
• Attend nursing facility care conferences
• Communicate significant psychosocial findings to team members and physicians
• Help the team understand how psychosocial stresses affect terminal illness symptoms
• Contribute to development and revision of individualized care plans
• Support team members managing the emotional demands of hospice work
• Maintain Clinical Excellence
• Complete accurate, timely, and pertinent documentation
• Maintain clinical records for all patients referred to social work
• Ensure compliance with Conditions of Participation and regulatory requirements
• Demonstrate cost-effective care delivery with understanding of hospice reimbursement
• Identify and report potential coverage or payment issues

Requirements

• Required Qualifications
• Master's or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited school of social work
• Current State License as a Master's Social Worker (MSW/LMSW/LCSW)
• Minimum 1

Benefits

Additional Information

Optimal Care is growing and proactively building our talent pipeline for future opportunities. While this role may not be immediately available, we invite you to submit your resume to this posting. A member of our Recruiting team will reach out to discuss opportunities with you. Optimal Care is where your dedication meets a rewarding career. As a clinician owned and operated company, we create the opportunity and environment for each employee to realize their highest potential while maintaining a personalized focus on our Patients and Families every day. We are the Midwest's premier provider of Physician Services, Home Health, and Hospice Care. Our integrated care delivery model incorporates technology, innovation and best practices. We produce value based outcomes by managing chronic disease process, rehabilitation and end of life care. We live a simple Mission: Serve Together, Provide Value, and Deliver Exceptional Quality Care. What does this mean for you? At Optimal Care, you have our resolute commitment to being an exceptional place to work. Your expertise, passion and commitment to exceptional quality care will continue to thrive. With you we can build a remarkable place to work. Exceptional Benefits: Minimum of 3 Weeks Paid Time Off (PTO) Company Vehicle Program for field roles Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance HSA and FSA options including Dependent Care Company paid Short Term Disability Company paid Life Insurance 401(k) with Employer Match Mileage Reimbursement Pet Insurance ID and Fraud Protection And more...

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