Hospice and Palliative Care Program Coordinator (Social Worker)

Quick Facts

• Role: Social Worker (Program Coordinator) for Hospice and Palliative Care
• Focus: Hospice, palliative care, and bereavement program operations and clinical social work
• Coverage: Veterans and families across VA and community settings

Description

The Hospice and Palliative Care Program Coordinator leads a high-volume hospice, palliative care, and bereavement social work program for Veterans and their families. The role provides advanced clinical care, consultation, education, and case management, with a strong emphasis on palliative care. Responsibilities also include program oversight, staff mentoring, and developing and monitoring program goals and metrics for leadership.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and/or families across the continuum of care
• Conduct thorough psychosocial assessments and determine diagnosis, psychosocial functioning, and needs
• Manage complex and ethically challenging cases; assess suicide risk when appropriate
• Provide professional judgment and navigate complex systems within and outside VA
• Serve Veterans in outpatient and inpatient settings and act as liaison to community care
• Serve as the primary social worker on the Inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care Consultation Team
• Lead development, creation, and implementation of bereavement service initiatives
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop goals and interventions
• Liaison between Veterans/loved ones and VA/community resources
• Implement psychotherapeutic modalities; provide educational classes, supportive groups, and bereavement services
• Consult on community resources, VA benefits, specialty programs, and advance directives
• Consult staff on psychosocial needs and how these affect care planning and treatment compliance
• Maintain knowledge of Veteran benefits/services and referral processes to community and government programs
• Provide case management services across the continuum of care
• Facilitate timely community placements with Veterans/families and the interdisciplinary team
• Provide advanced consultation to less experienced social workers and staff in complex end-of-life cases

Administrative Functions

• Support VA and VHA mission, policies, and procedures
• Collaborate with the Hospice and Palliative Care Medical Director on projects and initiatives
• Advance and oversee end-of-life care (palliative care, hospice, and bereavement)
• Monitor data and outcome measures related to end-of-life care
• Develop and implement action plans, educational initiatives, and strategic plans for program operations
• Participate in facility committees/task forces as appropriate
• Develop and foster collaborations and partnerships across the continuum of care
• Provide updates to the supervisor regarding problems and recommended solutions
• Pursue continuing education relevant to the assignment
• Assist with orientation and learning of less experienced social workers within the facility system

Benefits

A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is provided; eligibility depends on the type of position and schedule (full-time/part-time/intermittent).