The Senior Social Worker in the Community Living Center (CLC) Hospice, performs specialized psychosocial treatment and intervention of complex physical or medical illness. The Hospice Social Worker is responsible for providing for the psychosocial needs of veteran residents of the Hospice Unit. The incumbent also assists the medical director and charge nurse with screening referrals to the Hospice Unit from outside agencies, inpatient hospitalization, as well as self-referred veterans. The Hospice Social Worker: Interviews veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the veteran's end of life goals of care as part of a comprehensive end of life psychosocial/bereavement assessment. Interprets and explains VA's Hospice treatment and benefit programs. Evaluates his/her practice as the Hospice Social Worker on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies or other organized means. S/he provides guidance, emotional support and other assistance expressly tailored to the veteran's end of life needs and wishes. Provides individual and group counseling services, bereavement support and, in some settings, psychotherapy, case management, discharge planning, and other services as appropriate. Addresses Advance Directives and Organ Donation in accordance with the standards and SLVHCS policies. Assists patients and their significant others, with coping and dealing with the loss and grief experiences in disability, terminal illness and death. Provides training to Social Work interns, residents and staff from other disciplines. Topics may include the impact of psychosocial and psychiatric issues that may directly affect their care. Enters all veteran and family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. Incumbent has working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing, data management and other computer systems, especially those programs in use by VHA. Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:00pm. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
