Licensed Social Worker-Palliative Care

Licensed Social Worker

The Licensed Social Worker works with a multidisciplinary treatment team to provide psychological, social, and interventions that support patients and families relating to behavioral/medical health, levels of care, disease and illness and wellness and recovery. Hospice and palliative experience is preferred. The selected candidate will travel between sites for home-based care as well as clinic/inpatient coverage in Middlesex and surrounding areas.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of an Licensed Social Worker at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Provides a comprehensive assessment of a patient's psychosocial needs under supervision of an LCSW and develops treatment plans and treatment plan reviews based on findings and according to department policy.
• Provides effective behavioral/medical health treatment and education to patients, including assessment, psychotherapeutic counseling, or therapy (individual and/or group), and shares and interprets information to staff, families, and/or other approved agencies.
• Completes all documentation in accordance with department and hospital policy.
• Provides all services and interventions to patients in accordance with Licensure regulations defined by the governing licensing board.
• Utilizes and obtains and interprets information in terms of patient needs, knowledge of growth, development, and an understanding of the evidence-based range of treatment options for specific populations.
• Provides comprehensive case management services/assessment as warranted.
• Assess Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and provide information, education and/or referrals as appropriate to meet identified patient needs.
• Collaborates with the patient (with their consent), family, and other support persons involved in the patient's care to develop a comprehensive discharge plan that best meets the continuing care needs of the patient.
• Reassesses treatment plan on an ongoing basis, evaluates progress, revises plan when clinically indicated.
• Maintains protected patient health information as required by law, State Licensing, TJC and HMH policy.
• Assists other behavioral/medical team members in responding to emergencies.
• Has a working knowledge of various community agencies and resources and refers patients when appropriate.
• Lifts a minimum of 5 lbs., pushes and pulls a minimum of 5 lbs. and stands a minimum of 4 hours a day.
• Identifies the needs of the patient population served and modifies and delivers care that is specific to those needs (i.e., age, culture, language, hearing and/or visually impaired, etc.) This process includes communicating and providing instruction/education with the patient, parent and/or primary caregiver(s) at their level (developmental/age, educational, literacy, etc.).
• Adheres to the standards identified in the Medical Center's Organizational Competencies.
• Receive proper supervision as per their Licensed Board.
• Additional duties as assigned. In addition to the responsibilities listed in this job description, it is understood that each department/program may have specific requirements and/or regulations based on the level of care and treatments/services provided and/or the patient population receiving those treatments/services. These specific responsibilities will be reviewed with applicants/team members during the interview process and again at time of hire.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW).
• 0-3 years of total work experience in Social Work or related fields.
• Work under the supervision or guidance of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Ability to perform psychosocial assessments and develop treatment plans.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention theory and its application in a variety of settings.
• Knowledge of disease management and disease process and differential diagnosis and treatment techniques.
• Ability to work as part of a team, while building collaborative relationships.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills that may include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• NJ Licensed Social Worker.