Licensed Clinical Social Worker jobs in Yakima, WA

Description

Are you a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a passion for providing empathetic and specialized care to individuals and families in need? If so, we invite you to consider a rewarding opportunity with the KVH Hospice and Palliative Care teams. Our organization is committed to delivering high-quality end-of-life care in a supportive and intimate environment, and we are currently seeking a skilled and compassionate LCSW to join our dynamic team on a part-time basis.

General Summary:

The Social Worker provides assessment of the social and emotional aspects of Palliative Care & Hospice patients and their family. The Social Worker is an important member of the healthcare team and works collaboratively with the other members of the care team to provide appropriate care and support for our patients in a compassionate, professional, ethical, and knowledgeable fashion. The Social Worker demonstrates excellence in customer service during interactions with physicians, patients and patient family members, etc. The role of the Social Worker includes, but is not limited to: assessment of the patient’s emotional/social capabilities to cope with their illness, assist in the planning of the patient’s care needs, help families deal with the patient’s medical condition and eventual loss/separation of the patient, etc. The Social Worker is aware of the potential exposure to internal and external hazardous materials, including but not limited to: blood and blood borne pathogens, infectious/communicable diseases, potential physical injury while caring for patients.

Klickitat Valley Health is a rural, critical-access hospital located in scenic Goldendale, Washington only two hours from Portland along the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge. KVH offers emergency and acute inpatient care and a full scope of ancillary services including General Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory, Respiratory Therapy, PT / OT, Behavioral Health, Dental, Pain Management, Optometry and Hospice. The hospital also owns a busy, well-established primary clinic that is located on hospital campus. Inpatient care is managed by 24/7 Hospitalist staff. KVH employs over 300 staff.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications):

Education / Licensure:

• Graduate of an accredited Social Worker academic program and must be registered/licensed in the State of Washington. MSW required, LCSW preferred.
• Possess a valid/current driver’s license
• Possess or has access to reliable vehicle transportation with auto insurance for doing patient care visits.
• BLS required

Experience:

• At least two (2) years recent experience providing social work care; and one (1) year experience in a Home Health & Hospice setting preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to):

• Demonstrates knowledge of the Medicare/Medicaid statutes and regulations governing the delivery of psychosocial services to Home Health & Hospice patients, and identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.

• Performs an initial psychosocial assessment on all patients, including: geriatric and the general patient population, within five (5) days of referral. Additionally, performs an emotional/social assessment to determine the patient’s and caregivers ability to cope with terminal illness/care issues and needs, and evaluates social/emotional problems which are or may be impediments to delivery of effective treatment/care of the patient; additionally identifies any social/emotional needs for family members and how this will impact or support the care of the patient.
• Participates with other interdisciplinary team members in the development of the plan of care for all patients, identifying the patient’s emotional/social function level and setting realistic and measurable goals and instructs other caregivers in the appropriate communication and interaction techniques to support the patient.
• Evaluates MSW plan of care regularly, assesses patient condition, and identifies any changes in status, revises plan of care as indicated by any change in the patient’s condition to insure patient comfort, as well as adjusts for any emotional status change, in coordination with patient’s physician/provider; additionally apprises departmental Director of any significant changes in mental/emotional status of the patient.
• Advises and consults with family and/or staff for resolution of any emotional/social problems/issues that might arise in the care of the patient.
• Assists patient/family members and care givers in understanding, accepting and following medical recommendations determined by the patient’s physician/providers, and/or RN; as well as endeavoring to maintain optimal quality of life during the disease process.
• Assists patient/family members with personal or environmental difficulties which interfere with medical care or patient safety; as well as identifying resources that may be needed by the patient, such as: financial, environmental and spiritual.
• Utilizes appropriate resources, such as family, private caregivers and community agencies, to assist patient in maintaining maximum quality of life.
• Coordinates with other team members to provide bereavement and support for families following the death of the patient.
• Prepares clinical/progress notes and discharge notes in a timely manner; maintains all required documentation in patient or departmental charts/files as required.
• Comply with all departmental policy and procedures, while upholding the high expectations of KVH.
• Attends a minimum of 75% of departmental staff meetings and 100% of mandatory in-services; as well as other team meetings, patient care conferences, etc.
• Collaborates with other agency staff by telephone, e-mail, case conference, or joint visits as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.