Purpose:

The Social Worker is responsible for providing complete psychosocial assessments, crisis intervention, individual, family, group, bereavement and end of life counseling, and timely and appropriate discharge planning based on known or anticipated needs.

Responsibilities:

• Performs/documents psychosocial assessment.

• Assists the palliative care team and/or directly facilitates patient-family meetings for goal setting and advance care planning.

• Provides emotional support for patients and families facing advanced illness.

• Coordinates educational and outreach services relevant to the social service -palliative care interface.

• Participates in palliative care quality improvement initiatives.

• Provides liaison function between system-wide outpatient palliative care team and inpatient palliative care team, discharge planning, and social service departments.

• Provides liaison function between palliative care team and community hospice, home care agencies, long-term care facilities and other community services as needed.

• Attends monthly and periodic team meetings for the operational and administrative functions of the palliative care service.

• MSW degree from a CSWE accredited School of Social Work required.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

Current / active Social Work License required or successful pass of the social work licensing exam within 9 months of employment.

• Clinical Social Worker (CSW) OR Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran