Hospice and Home Care Social Worker - HCI VNS Care Services

Purpose:

Provides social work services, performs psycho-social assessments and link individuals and families to community resources.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluates and assesses the patient’s psychosocial needs.
• Initiates and maintains a plan of care.
• Provides strengths based family-centered care to assist patients and families with becoming self-sufficient.
• Communicates with team members to coordinate care of individual patients.
• Confers with other agencies regarding patient needs; exchanges information and attempts to determine a solution for such needs.
• Accepts and works to carry out the mission and vision of the agency.
• Gives guidance on problems found through observation and interview.
• Assists with orientation, instruction, and guidance of new staff members, students and visitors coming to the agency.
• Represents the agency in community groups and activities.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in clinical and billing records.
• Observes the patient for changes in condition, discusses changes with the patient or family and reports changes, as necessary, to the nurse case manager or primary provider.
• Works to maintain a safe environment for the patient.
• Maintains appropriate records, caseload, and writes reports as indicated.
• Maintains confidentiality and safety of patient clinical records, in accordance with VNS of Iowa and HIPAA guidelines.
• Participate in quality improvement as assigned, which may include participating as a PAC member.
• Complete patient chart audit.

Qualifications:

• Masters of Social Work required
• One year of clinical social work experience in an public health or related setting
• Possess knowledge of local community resources and knowledge of how to access resources
• Ability to accept and work with diverse populations, culturally, economically and educationally
• Ability to work with variety and change, with both schedule and responsibility 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to comply with accepted professional standards and ethical guidelines
• Ability to work effectively in a high performance multi-disciplinary team
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook
• Highly detail oriented with a critical degree of accuracy regarding data entry and analysis
• Working knowledge of adult and child health principles and practices, including community health problems, preventive measures and community resources
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize teaching principles in working with families, clients, schools, and other community organizations
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound decision-making 
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification required.
• Mandatory Reporter of Child and Dependent Adult abuse training certification (within 30 days of hire)
• Must have valid driver's license, auto liability insurance and reliable transportation if driving is required
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical, drug screen, 2-step TB test and background check

Working Conditions:

• Physical requirements: Medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects
• Physical activities: Kneeling, Crouching, Reaching, Standing, Walking, Pushing, Pulling, Talking, Fingering (picking, pinching, typing, etc.), Hearing, and Visual acuity (field of vision for analyzing data, viewing computer, using measurement devices, operating machines, determining accuracy or neatness, and/or making general observations)
• Environment: Hazards (chemicals, infectious diseases), Atmospheric Conditions (fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases)
• Time: Ability to be flexible with a varying schedule and programmatic requirements
• Travel: Required between locations

These characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. You may be required to perform other duties to meet the on-going needs of the organization.

HCI Care Services and VNS of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. Employment practices are implemented without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, genetic information or on the basis of age or physical or mental disability unrelated to ability to perform the work required.