Social Worker

Overview

Every moment matters at Otterbein Hospice  Our PRN Social Worker is responsible to help the patients, and their families cope with the social, emotional, and practical challenges related to illness and the dying process. This may include patient and family assessments, counseling, help connecting with community resources, bereavement support and decision making. If you are an experienced hospice social worker, or a new graduate with a passion to help terminally ill patients and their families, this position may be right for you. 

Hospice is a philosophy of care for those facing life-limiting illnesses, as well as their families and caregivers. The focus of hospice care is to help patients experience peace, comfort, and quality of life while also offering support and services to their family and caregivers.

At Otterbein Hospice, our dedicated and compassionate team is here to help you through all stages of life's journey. When the time comes for hospice care, our team will involve you and your loved ones in your care options, and together with you, develop a personalized plan of care. Our team includes nurses, a chaplain and social worker for your care and support. We offer the peace that comes with being cared for in your home.

At Otterbein, you're more than an employee, you're a Partner in Caring. Together, we work side by side toward a shared goal: delivering person-centered care that respects every resident and the choices they make.

Whether in our vibrant communities, our welcoming small house neighborhoods, Home Health, Hospice or Home Office, we provide the highest level of compassionate, quality care.

Join our team of Partners who are talented, kind, wise, funny, spirited, generous, endearing, and truly one-of-a-kind.

Shift: PRN

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial comprehensive psychosocial and bereavement risk assessment of the patient, family or caregiver and plan support as necessary.
• Function as a facilitator at obtaining and making referrals to community resources to meet the needs of patients and families.  This may include obtaining financial assistance when indicated and referring patients and families to community agencies for appropriate follow-up.
• Assist family/caregiver during time of care challenges, including possible facility placement for basic care, respite or inpatient services when appropriate.
• Provide psychosocial and anticipatory grief counseling to patients, families, caregivers and significant others relative to the impact and implications of the terminal disease and patient care.
• Participate in the development of the plan of care and treatment.  Holds care conferences with family and patient as needed.
• Prepare social histories, evaluations and plan interventions based on findings.
• Update, maintain and submit clinical documentation according to agency guidelines in an accurate and timely manner.  Assists with discharge planning if needed.
• Attend and participate in the interdisciplinary team meetings (IDT) to coordinate care plans. 
• Follow up on changes, social problems, medical situations, family strengths and weaknesses and discuss alternate options and problem solving.
• Assist team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors of the patient & family.
• Ensures all care is provided with respect and dignity for patients, reports any concerns to the appropriate personnel.
• Act as a mentor to other personnel by participating in orientation and assisting with field training and in-service education to contractors, volunteers and referral sources.
• Teach the patient, family and/or caregiver about the progression of their disease and self-care techniques, which includes providing counseling support/ instructions as ordered by physician.

Skills

• Must have effective communication, comprehension, documentation, interpersonal and computer skills.
• Ability to assess patient needs and formulate individualized patient care plans to meet those needs.
• Ability to work in a field setting and exhibit ability to make sound judgments.

Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in social work from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• Licensure: Valid driver's license and reliable transportation that is insured in accordance with Ohio requirements.  Active Ohio Social Work license. 
• Experience: Minimum of 1 year experience in a health care field with experience working with patients and families coping with terminal illness and dying. Hospice or home care experience preferred but not required. 

Why work for Otterbein SeniorLife:

For more than 100 years, Otterbein has provided senior housing options rooted in respect and community.  We're a non-profit 501(c)(3) health and human service organization, so our values and initiatives are focused on serving our residents.

Otterbein SeniorLife consists of lifestyle communities, revolutionary small house neighborhoods, home health, and hospice care in Ohio and Indiana.  We offer different lifestyle options for seniors through independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, rehab, memory support, respite care, in-home care, and hospice services.

Apply today and begin a meaningful career as a Hospice Social Worker at Otterbein Hospice