Are you a Care Navigator in DeKalb County with the highest standards of excellence, seeking the opportunity to work for an employer that’s the leader in patient-focused, team-based hospice care and committed to creating a culture of excellence? Join the hospice that was first to provide exceptional, end of life care in our community. We are currently seeking a PT- Care Navigator.

Job Summary: To deliver varied social work services to hospice patients and their families. Under the direction of the Team Lead, this position is responsible for the initial emotional, spiritual, psychosocial assessments, ongoing counseling, of hospice patients, families, and caregivers. Assists in the development and implementation of social and spiritual services for the hospice patient’s Plan of Care. Assists patients and their families with issues which predispose illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from medical care by performing the following duties.

**Note: Northern Illinois Hospice calls this social work position “Care Navigator” and will require staff to use that title. “Social Worker” is misinterpreted by some individuals as being comparable to a DCFS-type position. Northern Illinois Hospice takes steps to increase access to social work services and its integral support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Adheres to organizational policies and procedures.

· Follows infection control policies and procedures; utilizing PPE as required.

· Follows building protocol.

· Attends mandatory education in-services and meetings.

· Maintains confidentiality according to HIPAA requirements of patient and family regarding disease/diagnosis, financial, and other information obtained during employment.

· Abiding by agency proprietary confidential information policy.

· Demonstrate the Model Visit on each visit encounter.

· Follows safety education including physical ergonomics.

· Maintains personnel and professional boundaries.

· Provides accurate, timely documentation, pertinent, and complete data in the electronic medical record, according to documentation guidelines.

· Performs duties in accordance with the Medicare Hospice Conditions of Participation for Social Work. Adheres to the State of Illinois Social Work Practice Act.

· Preforms initial psychosocial, emotional, spiritual and bereavement assessments and assists and implementation of goal directed IDG care plan.

· Conducts ongoing reassessments of the patient/family needs and counseling as required.

· Provide short term crisis intervention and individual or family counseling when indicated.

· Provides services under the direction of a physician (who approves the plan of care).

· Participates in bereavement as assigned.

· Observes, assesses, and brings to IDG information regarding psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial conditions affecting the patient and family.

· Assumes the active role of advocate for the patient /family.

· Develops and maintains contact with appropriate community agencies and services to promote interagency cooperation and to facilitate related referrals.

· Attends and participates in IDG meetings.

· Assumes responsibility for own personal and professional development and maintenance of skills in social work.

· Interviews patient/family to assess patient’s situation and potential psychosocial, spiritual, discharge and other non-medical needs.

· Maintains ongoing contact with the social workers/discharge planners in local hospitals and nursing homes to facilitate the referral process and maintain continuity of care.

· Completes a financial assessment on patient/family where indicated.

· Through individual or family meetings, helps patient and family understand, accept, and make informed medical decisions.

· Assists patient/family with accessing community resources.

· Possesses awareness and acceptance of various lifestyles without imposing personal values on the patient/family.

· Maintains a high level of understanding of Medicare and Medicaid regulations.

· Assists with explaining and completing DPOA-HC documents.

· Participates in Quality Improvement Activities and initiatives.

· Good working knowledge of office technologies including computers, internet and intranet, Word, EXCEL and data base management programs.

· Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education: Master of Social Work degree from a school of social work accredited by the council of Social work education (CSWE), and one year experience in a health care setting. (preferred) Or have a baccalaureate degree in social work (BSW) from a school of social work accredited by the CSWE, and one year of experience in a health care setting and be supervised by a MSW from a school of social work accredited by the CSWE and who has one year experience in a health care setting

Training and Licensure: Licensed Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois required.

Knowledge/Skills/Ability: Ability to work independently, make accurate, and at times, quick judgements. Ability to respond appropriately to crisis in a community setting. Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural and religious modes.

Experience: Two years’ experience in social work required. At least one year experience in health care setting preferred. Hospice experience preferred.

Other: Local residence with ability to respond to on-call within 30 minutes. Meets agency requirements for criminal background check.

If you have experience as a Care Navigator, we want to hear from you.

We offer a competitive salary & benefits

EOE

Job Type: Part-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver’s License (Preferred)
• LSW or LCSW (Preferred)

Work Location:

• One location

Work Remotely:

• No