Now begins a discussion of how to choose a strong hospice. Whether you are looking because you want a hospice job, or because you have a family member who needs service, it’s good to know that hospices are not all equally well run.
Some hospices provide amazing care to patients and are great to work for. But not all of them are. I’m extremely fortunate to work for a company that treats team members and patients extremely well, and I’m also fortunate to have the experience working with operations that were not run so well. One major difference that makes a difference for organizational culture and patient service is that leadership is supportive and collaborative.
Through the most intense psychosocial challenges, social workers benefit from knowing that we are not acting alone. As independently as social workers operate, it’s good to know that we are on the same page with our bosses as we do so. When I face these challenges, I’m able to share my interpretations of the problems and thoughts about tackling them with my supervisors. They hear me out, share their perspectives and help me formulate an approach. And then I can intervene with not only the confidence of a better plan but the reassurance that my company has my back as I step into challenging and uncertain situations.
Collaborative hospice leadership in action
When I heard from a nursing home social worker that a recently admitted patient neither qualified for Medicaid nor received enough income to pay privately, I called the patient care manager for our team in that area and described the situation. He indicated he also found the situation a little daunting. As he contributed his time, energy and critical thinking to this issue, he indicated he shared ownership of a positive result. He offered suggestions and said he would follow up with some former colleagues to see how they handled similar situations. Later that evening, we spoke again and shared thoughts and ideas.
The next morning, we brainstormed further. We left no option unconsidered and agreed that the best course of action was to elevate our request at the facility in the hope that they would work with us to ensure the patient could stay. Fortunately, the wonderful facility administrator and her colleagues in the front office needed little convincing. They were of the same mindset: we share the responsibility to ensure continuity of care for the patient. We worked together and worked it out.
Independent, but never alone
The importance of collaborative leadership was one of the first realizations I had working with veterans as an intern. I remember feeling overwhelmed and daunted as I listened to a 90 y.o. WWII vet telling me about the issues he faced with the VA. I had no idea how I could help him overcome ALL of these struggles he was describing.
And then I realized a couple things that helped me relax and return to the moment. First I realized my job wasn’t to accomplish everything at once, but instead to focus on just one hurdle. After that, we could focus on another.
Then I remembered the team back at the office. I didn’t have to figure it all out on my own. I could gather information in my discussion with the client and then head back to the office, where my preceptor would be available to help me develop an action plan.
I’m far more comfortable now acting independently. But the fun never ends. As I get more comfortable handling complex issues, ever more complex and confounding challenges come my way. And whether I’m feeling truly confounded or simply want a supervisor to sign off on a course or action, functioning as a part of a team makes social work a more fun, serene and triumphant.
Next week, I’ll share how you can tell before you accept the job offer or sign up a relative if a hospice is a good choice. See you then!