Hospice Medical Social Worker

Join to apply for the Hospice Medical Social Worker role at Optimal Care

Optimal Care is where your dedication meets a rewarding career. As a clinician‑owned and operated company, we create the opportunity and environment for each employee to realize their highest potential while maintaining a personalized focus on our patients and families every day. We are the Midwest's premier provider of physician services, home health, and hospice care. Our integrated care delivery model incorporates technology, innovation, and best practices.

We produce value‑based outcomes by managing chronic disease processes, rehabilitation, and end‑of‑life care. Our mission is to serve together, provide value, and deliver exceptional quality care.

• Minimum of 3 weeks paid time off (PTO)
• Company vehicle program
• Flexible work schedule
• Mentorship culture
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Mileage reimbursement
• Cutting edge technology

Optimal Care hospice medical social workers are trained professional social workers who assist patients and families living with terminal illnesses. The medical social worker coordinates care to enhance the patient's quality of life by handling the day‑to‑day details of the client's medical care, establishing, implementing, and evaluating goals, and counseling the patient and their family/caregiver as they journey through the end stage of life.

In this role you will be responsible for:

• Completing the patient's initial evaluation within 5 days of hospice admission and re‑evaluating the patient's social work needs during each subsequent visit
• Assisting patients and caregivers in planning for funeral arrangements, financial, legal, and health care decisions
• Educating and assisting patients and caregivers in the preparation of advanced directives
• Providing information to patients and caregivers regarding community agencies and referral services
• Carrying out social evaluations, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high risks for suicide, neglect, or abuse, and planning intervention based on evaluation findings
• Assessing the psychosocial status of patients and caregivers related to the patient's terminal illness
• Counseling patients and caregivers as needed concerning stress and other identified coping difficulties
• Assessing for and educating staff on any special needs related to the culture of patients and their caregivers, including communication and care traditions
• Providing bereavement support to patients, caregivers, and hospice personnel

• 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 as defined by accepted MSW standards
• Understands 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 patients' 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, and terminal patients, family emotional stress, and tolerance of individual lifestyles
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, documentation requirements, and deadlines

• Hospice experience preferred
• Familiarity with Home Care Home Base (HCHB)

• Office location: 770 Kenmoor Ave, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
• Main service area:
  Grand Rapids and surrounding areas

• Office hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Weekend rotation available

$70,000—$76,000 USD

Optimal Care conducts a background screening upon acceptance of a contingent job offer. Background 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.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Optimal Care is an equal‑opportunity employer.