HOSPICE SOCIAL WORKER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Updated: Oct 03, 2025 - The Hospice Social Worker has experience in medical and hospice settings, including end-of-life care, and legal considerations like advance directives. This role requires strong communication, counseling, and interpersonal skills to support patients and families while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. The worker also has emotional resilience, confidentiality, and the ability to manage time effectively in a fast-paced, emotionally challenging environment.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Hospice Social Worker Resume
  • Psychosocial Assessment
  • Case Management
  • Grief Counseling
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Care Planning
  • Accurate Documentation
  • Resource Utilization
  • Bereavement Support
  • Advance Directives
  • Quality Improvement
  • Effective Communication
  • Team Collaboration
  • Compassionate Care
  • Advocacy
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Emotional Support
  • Professional Development
  • Patient Education
  • Conference Participation
  • Punctuality

Summary of Hospice Social Worker Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BA in Social Work with 1 years of Experience

  • Experience in social work and a medical setting.
  • Effective Communication Skills
  • Current knowledge of legal, regulatory, and accrediting requirements and standards related to the practice of social work.
  • Ability to organize and establish priorities.
  • Ability to establish effective interpersonal relationships with all levels of personnel, medical staff, patients/families/significant others, and external resources people.
  • Current knowledge of county, state, and federal programs (Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, SSI, and Veterans benefits), in particular, and Medicare Hospice Benefits.
  • Ability to counsel terminally ill patients and families in social service areas as well as psychosocial areas.
  • Ability to consistently demonstrate commitment to the mission and Organizational Code of Ethics and adhere to the Compliance Program.

2. BS in Psychology with 4 years of Experience

  • Knowledge of casework and public welfare principles at a level generally
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to hospice
  • Knowledge of health and welfare resources and facilities
  • Knowledge of insurance benefits, including Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement policies
  • Knowledge of medical, legal, and financial implications for patients and their families, particularly those relating to end-of-life decisions (advanced directives, medical power of attorney, do-not-resuscitate orders, guardianship, etc.) and age-specific service needs.
  • Previous experience working with and addressing the needs of dying patients and their families
  • Experience working collaboratively in a team-based setting
  • Experience in patient assessment, care planning, resource referral, and counseling service provision.

3. BA in Sociology with 3 years of Experience

  • Possess LCSW and effective group process skills. 
  • Previous hospice social work experience
  • Effective oral and written communication skills to express ideas clearly. 
  • Effective listening skills. 
  • Ability to follow through using appropriate channels of communication
  • Ability to pay attention to details, often changing from one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure
  • Ability to function competently in stressful situations and the changing work environment related to changing patient needs, including working with patients with acute, chronic, and complex disease processes
  • Ability to work cooperatively with patients, family members, and multidisciplinary team members (i.e., nurses, physicians, Rehab, Chaplains, HHAs, Art Therapist, HHAs, etc.)
  • Ability to utilize effective time management to set priorities, perform job-related responsibilities, and respond quickly to emergencies
  • Ability to use effective analytical and critical thinking skills to solve problems

4. BS in Human Services with 2 years of Experience

  • Ability to work with the physically and mentally ill, disabled, and emotionally upset elderly
  • Ability to organize, prioritize, and meet deadlines
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and be discreet
  • Knowledgeable of nursing practices, procedures, terminology, laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care
  • Experience with the geriatric population
  • Creative problem-solving skills
  • Experience in Medical Social Work 
  • Experience within the Hospice field
  • Willingness to travel throughout the assigned service area.
  • Be able to receive comprehensive training, including patient visits with a preceptor and Brightree and Elsevier training.

5. BA in Gerontology with 1 years of Experience

  • Be able to show sensitivity and understanding of end-of-life issues
  • Ability to perform Psychosocial assessment and treatment expertise
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Demonstrates clear and effective communication skills
  • Be able to contribute as part of a collaborative team
  • Ability to build relationships within communities and patient care partners.
  • Demonstrates strong computer literacy skills
  • Excellent clinical assessment, documentation, written, and verbal skills.
Relevant Information
Clinical Social Worker Skills, Experience, and Job Requirements
Hospice and Palliative Nurse Skills, Experience, and Job Requirements
Hospice Chaplain Skills, Experience, and Job Requirements