Hospice Medical Social Worker
Optimal Care is growing and proactively building our talent pipeline for future opportunities. While this role may not be immediately available, we invite you to submit your resume to this posting. A member of our Recruiting team will reach out to discuss opportunities with you.
Optimal C are is where your dedication meets a rewarding career.
Top Work Places for 12 consecutive years, Great Places to Work certified for 6 consecutive years, and we believe that exceptional care starts with exceptional people. We’re committed to supporting your professional growth, valuing your expertise, and creating an environment where you can do your best work every day.
As a clinician-owned and operated organization, we empower our team members to provide personalized, compassionate care to patients and families every day.
We are a leading provider of Physician Services, Home Health, and Hospice that encourages collaboration, innovation, and clinical excellence. From chronic disease management and rehabilitation to end-of-life care, our focus is on improving outcomes and enhancing quality of life.
We live a simple Mission: Serve Together, Provide Value, and Deliver Exceptional Quality Care.
Why Join Us as a Hospice Medical Social Worker?
As a trained Medical Social Worker at Optimal Care Hospice, you’ll provide compassionate support to patients and families living with terminal illnesses. You’ll play a critical role in enhancing patients’ quality of life by coordinating care, managing day-to-day needs, establishing and evaluating goals, and counseling patients and their caregivers throughout the end-of-life journey.
What You’ll Do:
Complete initial social work evaluations within 5 days of hospice admission and re-evaluate needs during each visit.
Assist patients and caregivers with funeral planning, financial, legal, and healthcare decisions.
Educate and guide patients and families in preparing advanced directives.
Connect patients and caregivers to community resources and referral services.
Conduct comprehensive social assessments, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, and identifying risks such as neglect, abuse, or suicidal ideation; develop interventions based on findings.
Assess the psychosocial status of patients and caregivers in relation to the patient’s terminal illness.
Provide counseling for stress, coping challenges, and other identified needs.
Identify and educate staff on patient- and caregiver-specific cultural considerations, including communication preferences, family roles, space, and special traditions.
Provide bereavement support to patients, caregivers, and hospice team members.
Required Qualifications
Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university
Current state licensing in social work
Current and valid driver’s license
Reliable transportation and valid automobile insurance coverage
Minimum of one year experience in healthcare
Medical Social Work skills are as defined by accepted MSW standards
Understands the hospice philosophy, and issues of death/dying
Experience and or education in grief or loss counseling
Demonstrates ability to assess and respond to the needs of patient’s families and caregivers in varied settings and to function effectively in the home or nursing facility environment
Demonstrates skill in Social Work practice, ability to cope with ill, disabled, terminal patients, family emotional stress, and tolerance of individual lifestyles
Ability to handle multiple priorities, documentation requirements, and deadlines
Desired Qualifications
Hospice experience is preferred
Familiarity with Home Care Home Base (HCHB)
Location
Office: 770 Kenmoor Ave, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Service Area: Grand Rapids and surrounding communities
Schedule
Regular Hours: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Weekend Rotation: Required on rotating basis
Pay Range $63,000 — $68,000 USD
How We Care for You
Minimum of 3 Weeks Paid Time Off (PTO)
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
HSA and FSA options including Dependent Care
Company paid Short Term Disability
Company paid Life Insurance
401(k) with Employer Match
Mileage Reimbursement
Company Vehicle Program for field roles
Pet Insurance
ID and Fraud Protection
And more...
Background Screening
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Screening is completed by a third-party administrator, the Michigan Long-Term Care Partnership, and is performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act.
Reasonable Accommodations
We offer reasonable accommodations throughout the application process, interview stages, and during employment to ensure all team members can thrive. Please reach out to us if you would like to request a reasonable accommodation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We believe an exceptional place to work begins with diverse perspectives. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.