To educate persons diagnosed with a dementia and caregivers, facilitate access to available public and private resources and to provide support services including counseling and care planning.
- Knowledge of mental health issues common among persons with dementia and caregivers.
- Working knowledge of effective non-pharmacological interventions for managing dementia-related behaviors, common mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, etc.).
- Working knowledge of effective interventions for reduction of caregiver burden, improvement of caregiver physical and mental health as well as other available educational and informational resources.
- Ability to interact with patients and families that is attuned to individual needs, health literacy levels, and home environment.
- Ability to assess any related financial burden that may impact services for which a family/patient has access or can afford.
- Ability to interact with a care consultation system and transfer information from an assessment to other designated individuals (e.g., care consultant and primary care provider).
- Efficiently administer and effectively interpret standardized patient and caregiver need assessment tools and integrate the results of assessments into an overall plan of care for the patient and caregiver.
- Assess caregiver burden/mental health as well as caregiver's knowledge and understanding of the disease and his/her capacity to manage the caregiving role.
- Provides for social needs of patient/family.
- Completes psychosocial assessment.
- Participates with other team members in planning care for the patient/family.
- Participates in finding alternatives to home care when indicated.
- Documents according to policy.
- Treats patients and families with compassion and implements plan of care.
- Bases care decisions on plan of care.
- Monitors and documents patient response.
- Establishes rapport with clients. Adapts communication style, listens and responds to patient needs.
- Recognizes age-specific responses to treatment. Provides effective interventions.
- Respects patients’ confidentiality and privacy.
- Supports social, spiritual, and cultural needs of patients and families.
- Manages difficult or emotional patient situations.
- Adheres to the hospital and departmental attendance and punctuality guidelines.
- Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the core values, mission, and vision of the organization.
- Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures.
- Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility to include any specialty certification requirements (i.e., self-education, attends ongoing educational programs).
- Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time.
- Demonstrates competency at all levels in providing care to all patients based on age, sex, weight, and demonstrated needs. For non-clinical areas, has attended training and demonstrates usage of age-specific customer service skills.
- Wears protective clothing and equipment as appropriate.
Master's Degree in Social Work Required
- 3 years Clinical Experience providing care consultation and case management. Preferred
- 1 year Demonstrated experience in quality program delivery and evaluation. Preferred
- LCSW - License Clinical Social Worker Preferred
- LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor Preferred
