So, here I go again with a new job. I can finally say though that I love it and am truly happy there! In just the short two weeks I have been there I have fallen in love with it and am very excited!
So, where am I at?? I am at Mercy Medical Center working for their Hospice Department!!! Who would have thunk it?? HA!
With all my experience with children and families I was determined to get a job working with children and families. But then I was offered this job and I am SO thankful I took it because I love it...everything about it!
I love my co-workers (believe it or not, there is actually a gal there who laughs just as much and nearly as loud as I do...and she's my supervisor - SWEET), I love the clients, and the help I can offer them. I really LOVE it and everything about it!!
What is Hospice exactly and what do I do as a Hospice Medical Social Worker?? Well, Hospice is a program which is offered at hospitals and local private agencies. Hospice is usually put into place for clients when they have a terminal illness and are expected to pass away within 6 months (or so). Hospice offers care through a variety of professions, such as social work and nursing, in order to make a persons end of life about QUALITY.
Comfort care is put into place and my role as the social worker is to help clients access services in order to increase or maintain a high quality towards the end of their life. I offer assistance in helping families through the grieving process through a variety of methods. That in a nutshell, in the simplest way, is what I do.
I can't even begin to explain how special and important it is to be involved in such an emotional time in the client's life. It is a privilege and an honor to help them and their families through such a challenging time.
With all this being said, I have to send out a HUGE thank you to the person who opened me up to this field...Jennifer Randolph. Jenny was my supervisor when I did my practicum at Senior Solutions. Doing my practicum at Senior Solutions allowed me the opportunity to work within the gerontology field and exposed me to agencies such as home health and hospice. I firmly believe without this experience I would not have gotten this job. So, THANK YOU JENNY! I know I may not have been the easiest or the best intern, but I did love the work there and I greatly appreciate your teachings, your guidance, and perhaps most importantly, your patience.
Speaking of Jenny...congrats on your new job! You will be a great teacher because, as I eluded to in the previous paragraph, you taught me volumes! Those children are SO lucky to have you! Good luck!
