Job Description

Job Location: 2600 JOHNSTON ST - LAFAYETTE, LA 70503
Position Type: Full TimeReports To: Executive Director of Center for Loss & Transition
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Social Worker is responsible for the implementation of standards of care from social work services.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assesses emotional, social, financial, environmental, and caregiver support needs as well as their bereavement risks and responses to the patient’s terminal illness.
- Provides counseling services and support for patients/families needing help with addressing death, dying, and anticipatory grief.
- Provides input into the development and implementation of the Plan of Care based upon the psychosocial assessment.
- Attends and participates in Interdisciplinary Team meetings, staff meetings, department meetings, in-services and other related activities.
- Educates patients/families/caregivers on Hospice philosophy, services available, and payment options/mechanisms.
- Provides timely documentation on all patients accepting of social services.
- Provides information and explanation regarding Advanced Directives (DNR, Living Will, Healthcare Power of Attorney, etc.), as well as associated patient rights.
- Supports patients and families with end-of-life decision making and provides education regarding options available upon patient’s death, including anatomical donations.
- Serves as a liaison, facilitating communications and working effectively between IPU facility staff, patients/families/caregivers, physicians, vendors, and other departments and professionals as appropriate.
- Participates in quality assurance and performance improvement activities including, at times, serving on QAPI committee.
- Maintains comprehensive working knowledge of Hospice of Acadiana, Inc. contractual relationships and ensures that social services are delivered according to contract provisions.
- Maintains comprehensive working knowledge of community resources and assists the patients/families/caregivers in accessing/navigating these resources, should services not be provided by Hospice of Acadiana, Inc. (ex. nursing home placement, VA benefits, etc.).
- Assists with discharge planning for all levels of care.
- Assists other team members in understanding the important emotional and social factors related to care of the terminally ill patients and family.
- Upholds social work standard of ethical practice.
- Assists with orientation of new staff and ongoing staff development.
The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks or special projects, other than those stated in this description, by supervisors/Leadership Team.

Qualifications
- Licensure/Certification/Registration: Current, valid license as a social worker (LMSW) issued by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LSBSWE).
- Education: Master’s in Social Work from accredited program.
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Experience: Minimum one (1) year healthcare experience; Hospice experience preferred. Documented clinical experience appropriate to the counseling and casework needs of the terminally ill.
- Special

Qualifications: Good oral and written communication. Good organizational skills. Understands hospice philosophy and issues of death/dying. Valid Louisiana’s Driver’s License, automobile liability insurance, and CPR certification.