The Role of the Social Worker in Hospice Care
Presented by Danette M. Muzic
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This course would be appropriate in the hospice setting for anyone wanting to understand the role of the hospice social worker. This would include hospice leadership registered nurses, spiritual care providers, and social workers. In this course, we discuss the unique and vital role of the hospice social worker within the interdisciplinary hospice care team. We will review processes used by the social worker to support positive outcomes. We will explore social work interventions and counseling as they relate to the hospice setting. And finally, we will examine components of end-of-life care plan development and documentation. An interview with a hospice social worker is conducted, and we hear firsthand experiences with complex patient and family dynamics.
Meet your instructor
Danette M. Muzic
After spending 15 years in private practice counseling, Danette M. Muzic felt as though she had come home when she began hospice work more than 12 years ago. Danette is passionate about companioning patients and families through the dying process and bereavement. As manager of support services for a large hospice…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Role of the Hospice Social Worker
In this course, we cover five processes used by hospice social workers in order to achieve positive outcomes. They are assessment, education, advocacy, facilitation, and intervention. Several of the potential interventions utilized by hospice social workers are discussed.
2. Hospice Social Worker Role Within the Interdisciplinary Team
The hospice social worker is a core member of the hospice interdisciplinary care team. Using this expertise, hospice social workers provide education and collaboration with team members, patients, families, and other partners in care. The social worker advocates for patients and families and provides thorough and timely documentation.
3. Social Worker Skills of Intervention and Counseling
It is vital that the social worker possess the necessary intervention and counseling skills needed for the hospice environment. Additionally, cultural competence and knowledge of developmental needs of people of all ages are essential. The hospice social worker should be educated in the relevant body of knowledge as it relates to hospice in order to provide education to patients and families, the team, and community partners in care.
4. Developing Care Plans for End-of-Life and Documenting
In this chapter, we discuss the necessity for care plans to be driven by the wants and needs of the patient and family. Additionally, thorough education is given on documenting care plan development and outcomes of goals and interventions, using documentation within the social work scope of practice, and utilizing the SBAR method when collaborating with the RN case managers.
More courses in this series
Spiritual Care in Hospice and the Role of the Spiritual Counselor
Danette M. Muzic
Bereavement Support and Role of Bereavement Coordinator in Hospice
Danette M. Muzic
The Role of the Social Worker in Hospice Care
Danette M. Muzic
Cultural Competence in End-of-Life Care
Danette M. Muzic