Hospice Social Worker Job Descriptions
Hospice social workers face the unique challenge of providing direct care to end-of-life or terminally ill clients as well as informing the care of professionals and laypersons regarding illness, death and grief. In the hospice setting, terminally ill clients choose to forego future medical intervention.
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Case Management
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A hospice social worker will maintain a number of clients, or cases, on an ongoing basis. Hospice social workers will manage the cases from beginning to end. Case management involves assisting with admission, transitioning care, and discharge from the hospice program. Hospital social workers must have an in-depth knowledge of community-based resources. Resources may include volunteer programs, homemaker services, meal delivery services and hospice houses. Familiarity with support resources will allow the hospice patient to continue living in the home if they choose to do so.
Counseling
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Hospice social workers offer counseling services to their clients.These services assist clients in resolving end-of-life and relationship issues. Hospice social services may assist clients in making funeral and memorial arrangements. Bereavement support services may also be offered to the client's friends and family members.
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Documentation
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Hospice social workers must complete extensive client documentation or charting. Social workers may run a battery of psychological tests on clients and record their findings. Hospice social workers must document their interactions with clients as well as the client's expressed plans and wishes.
Required Education and Skills
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Hospice social workers must earn a M.S.W. or L.C.S.W, designation, based on state requirements. Earning a master's degree in social work, completing required supervised hours, and specializing in end-of-life or palliative care will complement a career as a hospice social worker. Hospice social workers must be empathetic, organized, caring, and skilled communicators. In addition, a hospice social worker must have a clearly developed understanding of death and dying.
Job Outlook and Salary Information
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According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, social work professions are expected to grow faster than average through 2018. The median salary for a hospice social worker was $46,220 as of May 2008.
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References
- Photo Credit elderly women image by leafy from Fotolia.com
