Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Hospice Liaison

Job Title: Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Hospice Liaison (Hospital-Based) Position Summary: United Hospice, Inc. is seeking a compassionate and skilled Licensed Clinical Social Worker to provide bedside hospice counseling within a hospital setting. This role focuses on delivering emotional, psychosocial, and end-of-life support to patients and their families while playing a key role in hospice transitions. The ideal candidate will have experience in hospice or palliative care, strong care coordination skills, and the ability to guide patients and families through complex decisions with clarity and empathy. Key Responsibilities: Provide bedside counseling and emotional support to patients referred to hospice/end-of-life care Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify patient and family needs, coping capacity, discharge barriers, and support systems Facilitate timely and appropriate referrals to hospice services based on clinical indicators, patient goals, and physician recommendations Educate patients and families about hospice philosophy, levels of care, eligibility criteria, and benefits Lead and support advance care planning, including discussions around goals of care, code status, healthcare proxies, living wills, and MOLST/POLST documentation Assist patients and families in making informed decisions aligned with their values, cultural beliefs, and medical realities Coordinate hospice admissions in collaboration with United Hospice, ensuring a seamless transition from hospital to home, inpatient hospice, or other care settings Serve as a liaison between hospital teams and United’s Intake Department, ensuring accurate communication of patient needs, clinical status, and psychosocial considerations Expedite referrals by gathering required documentation, facilitating physician orders, and ensuring eligibility criteria are met Increase conversion rate to hospice services by meeting monthly metric goals. Raise awareness about hospice benefit and improve hospice utilization. Support discharge planning related to hospice care, including equipment needs, caregiver readiness, and community resources. Document needs in EMR and coordinate seamless discharge. Provide crisis intervention and emotional support during acute transitions, including imminent end-of-life situations. Collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, case managers, chaplains, and hospice liaisons to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care. Participate in intake huddle team meetings and contribute to care planning discussions Maintain timely, accurate documentation in accordance with hospital, hospice, and regulatory standards. Accepts additional responsibilities as assigned. Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program Active NYS licensure (LCSW or equivalent) Minimum 2 years of experience in hospice, palliative care, or medical social work Demonstrated experience with hospice referrals, advance care planning, and care transitions Strong knowledge of end-of-life care regulations, including advance directives and state-specific documentation (e.g., MOLST/POLST) Excellent communication, facilitation, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills Ability to manage complex, emotionally sensitive situations with professionalism and empathy Preferred Qualifications: Certification in hospice and palliative social work (e.g., ACHP-SW) Experience working within hospital discharge planning or care coordination roles Training in trauma-informed care and culturally responsive practice Work Environment: Hospital-based role with frequent bedside patient and family interaction High level of coordination Exposure to emotionally intense end-of-life care situations May require flexibility in scheduling, including evenings, weekends, or on-call responsibilities Core Competencies: Empathy and emotional intelligence Advanced care planning facilitation Care coordination and systems navigation Clinical judgment and ethical decision-making Strong communication and conflict resolution skills Resilience and adaptability in high-stress environments Benefits Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off (vacation, sick and personal days); 401(k) plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more Opportunities for professional development and continuing education Supportive interdisciplinary team environment UNITED HOSPICE INC., IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER