Clinical Social Worker- Palliative Care Program

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.
About Duke Regional Hospital
Pursue your passion for caring with Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. With 388 beds it is the second largest of Duke Health's four hospitals and offers a comprehensive range ofmedical, surgical, and diagnostic services, including orthopedics, weight-loss surgery, women's services, and heart and vascular services.
The Clinical Social Worker provides advanced psychosocial assessments, interventions, and counseling for patients and families facing serious illness. This role supports coping with hospitalization, diagnosis, and life transitions; promotes resilience for patients, families, and staff; and strengthens the integration and growth of Palliative Care services at Duke Regional Hospital.
Key Responsibilities

• Comprehensive Assessment

• Conduct biopsychosocial evaluations including family history, presenting concerns, and strengths/vulnerabilities.
• Assess physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and educational needs of patients, families, and caregivers (PFC).

• Care Planning & Intervention

• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing psychosocial barriers, symptom management, coping strategies, and advance care planning.
• Provide supportive counseling, crisis intervention, and evidence-based therapies (e.g., CBT, family interventions).
• Facilitate communication between patients, families, and interdisciplinary care teams; manage conflict when necessary.

• Collaboration & Resource Navigation

• Refer patients and families to community resources; serve as a resource for healthcare providers.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds, family meetings, and care planning conferences.
• Promote healthy team communication and facilitate provider care planning sessions.

• Education & Leadership

• Deliver training, education, and curriculum development for staff on palliative care topics.
• Lead monthly resilience debriefings and provide unit-based emotional support following difficult events.
• Support continuous quality improvement initiatives and represent social work in hospital committees.

• Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in accordance with departmental and regulatory standards.
• Remain current on relevant medical, ethical, and legal issues (e.g., advance directives, abuse reporting).

Required Qualifications
Education: Master's degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
Experience: Minimum three years of social work experience in healthcare. At least two years of recent post-master's clinical experience preferred.
Licensure: Current Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential with the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expertise in biopsychosocial, emotional, and spiritual needs across illness trajectories.
• Strong understanding of pain/symptom management and psychosocial dimensions of serious illness.
• Proficiency in psychotherapy techniques, including CBT and family systems interventions.
• Familiarity with cultural, ethical, and legal aspects of decision-making at end of life.
• Knowledge of local/state/community resources for patient and family support.
• Excellent communication, counseling, and interdisciplinary teamwork skills.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Competence in electronic documentation and basic computer applications.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.