Do you understand and appreciate the critical role social workers play on the hospice interdisciplinary team? Can you describe their challenges? Do they have to have hospice experience? Part 1 of this two-part series will outline the defining characteristics and obstacles hospice social workers face.

AFTER THIS WEBINAR YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:

• Describe four common challenges social workers face in today’s hospice environment
• List 10 specific and defining roles of the hospice social worker
• Apply best practice solutions to situation examples
• Explain what it means to step up as an “assertive social worker” on the interdisciplinary team
• Utilize the biopsychosocial model of care to guide problem solving approaches to specific challenges as they arise

WEBINAR DETAILS:  What do hospice social workers do? Can you quickly answer that question? In today’s world of extreme hospice growth nationally, it has become rare to find social workers with hospice experience. Since hospice is a unique and specialized approach to care, it has become imperative that new social workers are provided with the training they need to get up to speed. This webinar will delineate and explore the very specific duties of a hospice social worker and the skills needed to accomplish their duties.

THIS WEBINAR WILL BENEFIT THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES:  Hospice

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?  This informative webinar is designed for hospice social workers. Leadership, management, and other team members will also benefit by understanding the full potential of hospice social workers in providing exceptional care.

TAKE-AWAY TOOLKIT

• Individual social worker assessment exercise to determine strengths and areas that may need attention
• Organization assessment exercise
• Guide demonstrating specific techniques and interventions
• Sample policy ideas to assist social workers and teams to work through challenging situations
• Handout with additional lecture notes and links to additional learning opportunities
• Training log
• PDF of slides and speaker’s contact info for follow-up questions
• Attendance certificate provided

DON’T MISS PART 2!

Hospice Social Workers Part 2:
Obstacles: Time, Dementia-Related Diagnoses & Insufficient Hospice-Specific Skills  Wednesday, November 19, 2025

OTHER WEBINARS THAT MIGHT INTEREST YOU!

Hospice Social Workers, MFTs, MHCs, Chaplains & Spiritual Caregivers originally presented Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Personality Disorders & Challenging Personalities: Clients & Team Members Thursday, October 30, 2025

NOTE: All materials are subject to copyright. Transmission, retransmission, or republishing of any webinar to other agencies or those not employed by your agency is prohibited. Print materials may be copied for eligible participants only.

MEET THE PRESENTER:  Gary Gardia, LCSW, APHSW-C

Over 40 years ago, Gary began his hospice career as a volunteer. Since then, he has worked in many capacities leading a variety of teams and departments, including volunteers, social workers, bereavement, and education. A frequent presenter and keynote speaker at state and national conferences, Gary works as a consultant for various businesses and healthcare organizations.

Gary holds master’s degrees in both education and social work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He also holds the new Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker Certification (APHSW-C). Gary received the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) Heart of Hospice Award for developing innovative programs to meet the needs of caregivers and the bereaved and is the recipient of the national Social Work Hospice and Palliative Network (SWHPN) Award of Excellence in Professional Education. He also served as the Executive Director of the Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Work certification organization.