Hospice Social Worker - Athena Home Health & Hospice

We are hiring a Hospice Social Worker to join our dynamic care team at Athena Home Health & Hospice in Torrington!

This is an on-the-road position.

Working with our team and residents will give you purpose in your professional and personal life.

Here at Athena Health Care Systems, our employees are the heart of our organization, and we take immense pride in their dedication. We are not only committed to delivering high-quality care and customer service to our patients and their families, but we also aspire to be the employer of choice. We strive to create a workplace where your skills and talents are nurtured to allow you to grow within the company. 

As a Social Worker, your role is to plan, organize, develop, and direct all required social services to meet the needs of residents to ensure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the resident are met/maintained on an individual basis.

Experience & Education:

• Experience in health care and hospice preferred.
• Master's in social work required.
• An understanding of hospice philosophy and issues of death/dying preferred.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assesses the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient's terminal illness and environment and communicates findings to the registered nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary group.  Provides an assessment in the patient's identified residence and assistance when this is not safe, and another plan is required.
• Carries out social evaluations, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high risks for suicide, neglect or abuse and plans intervention based on evaluation findings.  Counsels’ patients and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties.  Provides crisis intervention when necessary.
• Assesses for, and educates interdisciplinary group, on any special needs related to the culture of the patient and family.  Includes communication, role of family, space, and any special traditions or taboos.Maintains clinical records on all patients referred to social work.
• Educates patients and families on, and assists in, preparation of advanced directives.
• Provides information and referral services for organization patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs.
• Provides information to patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
• Serves as liaison between patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care.
• Maintains and develops contracts with public and private agencies as resources for patients and personnel.
• Participates in the development of the individualized plan of care, involving the patient and family, and attends regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings, assisting the team in recognizing the effects of the psychosocial stresses on the symptoms of the terminal illness.
• Assists physician and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.
• Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
• Assists family and patient in planning for funeral arrangements, financial, legal, and health care decision responsibilities. 

Specific Requirements:

• Must be a licensed driver with an insured automobile.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and general public.
• Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, as well as being willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning.
• Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing Social Service practices.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition/incident to the Interdisciplinary Team as appropriate.

About Athena Health Care Systems:

Athena Health Care Systems, headquartered in Connecticut, has been a pioneer in delivering exceptional healthcare services since its establishment in 1984. Operating nursing homes across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, Athena stands out as one of the premier and highly regarded providers of skilled nursing centers in Southern New England. Through our commitment to improving both the lives of our residents and the quality of our environments, we have transformed our managed facilities into thriving communities where residents enjoy an enhanced quality of life, and employees find a fulfilling and supportive work environment.

Become a vital part of our team committed to delivering exceptional care to the residents we serve.

Athena’s Benefits:

• Competitive and Weekly Pay
• Holiday Pay for Hourly and Salaried Employees
• Overtime Pay for Hourly Employees
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Exclusive Employer Discount Program
  

Available for Eligible Team Members:

• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Vacation and Personal Time
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health insurance among the lowest employee contributions in the state (Employee Contributions as low as $12.00 for singles & $39.00 for families)

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. Athena Health Care Systems and its managed centers follow federal and state mandatory guidelines regarding staff vaccinations; our vaccination policy requires all newly hired staff, regardless of position or work location, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they receive an approved exemption from Athena, except where prohibited by state law.