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Hospice Social Worker Job Description

What does a Hospice Social Worker do?

A hospice social worker plays an integral role in providing emotional, social, and practical support to terminally ill patients and their families. They work closely with patients and their families to understand their needs and preferences, and to provide counseling and emotional support during this difficult period. Additionally, hospice social workers may help patients and their families navigate the healthcare system, access resources and financial assistance, and make end-of-life care decisions. Overall, their primary goal is to enhance the quality of life for patients and families and ensure that patients receive the best possible comfort and care during their final days.

Our Hospice Social Worker job description includes the Hospice Social Worker responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Hospice Social Worker Example


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If you need an example job description for a Hospice Social Worker download the one below, alternatively we have many other Social Care job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Hospice Social Worker do?

A Hospice Social Worker is responsible for providing emotional and practical support to individuals, families and carers who are facing end of life care. The Social Worker will assess the social care needs of the patient and their family and provide support to them in order to improve their quality of life. This includes providing advice, advocacy and counseling, as well as help with managing finances, housing and end of life planning. The Social Worker will also help to coordinate care services, liaise with other professionals and facilitate communication between the patient and their family. They should also have a good understanding of end of life care services, local resources and bereavement support.

Hospice Social Worker Role Purpose

The purpose of a Hospice Social Worker is to provide emotional and practical support to individuals and families facing life-limiting illnesses. This support will encompass a range of tasks, from helping to identify and access available care and services to providing emotional support, counselling and advocacy. The Social Worker will work closely with other professionals to ensure that the individual’s and family’s needs are met in a holistic way, and that individuals and families are supported in their physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs.

Hospice Social Worker Role

A hospice social worker is a healthcare professional who provides support and guidance to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. They provide practical and emotional support, helping patients and families to cope with the effects of a life-limiting illness, and facilitate access to support services.

Hospice Social Worker Duties

  • Engage with clients and their families to provide emotional, psychological and practical support
  • Provide information, advice and support to families
  • Liaise with other professionals such as doctors, nurses and health visitors
  • Carry out assessments of clients' social needs, financial circumstances, and mental and physical health
  • Develop and implement individual care plans
  • Provide bereavement counselling, and signposting to other support services
  • Organise and attend care reviews and meetings

Hospice Social Worker Requirements

  • A degree in social work or equivalent
  • Previous experience of working in a hospice or with end of life care
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation and best practice
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills

Hospice Social Worker Skills

  • Empathy
  • Counselling
  • Case Management
  • Advocacy
  • Supporting End of Life Decisions

Hospice Social Worker Personal Traits

  • Empathy
  • Compassion
  • Organisation Skills
  • Understanding
  • Good Listening Skills

How to write a Hospice Social Worker Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Hospice Social Worker Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Hospice Social Worker Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Hospice Social Worker Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Hospice Social Worker

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