12VAC5-391-360: Medical social services

A. Social services shall be provided according to the plan of care under the direction of a qualified social worker who holds, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree with major studies in social work, sociology, or psychology from a four-year college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and has at least two years experience in case work or counseling in a health care or social services delivery system.

The hospice program has one year from the effective date of this chapter to ensure the designated individual meets the qualifications of this standard.

B. The duties of the social worker may include, but are not limited to:

1. Conducting a complete psychosocial assessment of the patient and family and participating in the development of the plan of care at the time of the patient's admission;

2. Delivering or supervising the delivery of social services to the patient or the patient's family;

3. Reviewing and updating the plan of care as often as necessary;

4. Obtaining physician's orders for services, as necessary;

5. Assisting the patient and family with identifying and accessing community resources;

6. Reporting any changes in the emotional, social, or financial condition of the patient or family to the attending physician;

7. Acting as consultant to hospice program staff;

8. Participating in the quality improvement reviews and evaluation of social services;

9. Preparing clinical notes; and

10. Participating in discharge planning.