Advanced Practice Palliative Care Certificate for Social Workers

(formerly Post-MSW Certificate in Palliative Care)

• Video Transcript

  My name is Anne Front, I have a BSW, a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, and I’m a licensed marriage family therapist. I wanted to be in this course because I wanted to get more information, thoroughly understand the role and the purpose of the palliative care social worker.

  When I took the course, my kids were young, school-aged kids. A lot of homework, a lot of distractions. And, I thought, “How am I going to ever do this?” Eight months is a long time. By the end of the course, I was saying, “Why is it only eight months? I wish it was longer. I wish I could, you know, stay connected.” Which, I have stayed connected with people, with the organization.

  Every month, there was specific assignments and topics that we worked on, all relevant to the field, in terms of cross-cultural issues, ethical issues, clinical ways of working with patients and families, the ins and outs of symptom management, and the role of social workers in that process.

  So, I’ve had many years in the field with different populations, but when I started palliative care, I felt like I was a beginner, and honestly, this course was, I was looking forward to it. It ended up being a game-changer for me. I felt like it was a career-changer. It helped me understand the different ethical issues, clinical issues involved in working with palliative care. It also tapped into my inner strength, and the skills that I already have, to be the best clinician I can be.

  So, you know, I just totally enjoyed this course. It went too fast for me. I loved it. I learned so much. It’s such a valuable experience. It’s worth any sacrifice that you have to make. You will not regret it.

  I hope you take the course.

Palliative care social workers help make sure patients with serious illnesses get compassionate, whole-person care that addresses their symptoms, reflects their healthcare wishes, and supports their families and caregivers.

This 8-month instructor-led program, newly revised and updated, gives you personalized attention and mentorship, rigorous in-depth content, and small group interaction. The depth of the learning rivals in-person clinical programs, with the convenience and flexibility of online learning. 

You’ll gain expert skills in palliative care social work including how to navigate the diverse demands of the job, assess psychosocial suffering, use therapies support patients and families, and be a leader on the palliative care team.

Delivered through the Institute’s unparalleled, interactive online learning platform, this course features in-depth case studies, group discussion, and rigorous content that can be accessed anywhere, anytime. 

What You’ll Learn

• Foundational aspects of palliative care social work including advanced communication strategies, interdisciplinary team functions, and the role of the palliative care social worker as a team leader 
• An understanding of how values, ethics, self-awareness, critical thinking, and relationship apply to social work best practices   
• Serious and chronic illness care from a holistic, patient-centered perspective, incorporating evidence-based strategies to address physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual suffering 
• Palliative care ethical issues and perspectives 
• Leadership skills for palliative care social workers including relationship and team building 
• How to assess for self-improvement and develop concrete plans, processes, and strategies for growth  

What You’ll Earn

Learners who complete this course will earn: 

• 144 continuing education (CE) credits provided through California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) Extended Learning, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). 
• 6 continuing education credits on Ethics (included in the 144-CE total) 

Course Schedule

This 8-month course allows you to complete weekly lessons on your own schedule. The course content includes online coursework, readings, discussions, case studies, quizzes, and interactive instructor-facilitated discussions. Time commitment should be approximately 5-7 hours per week. 

Each three-week module is followed a one-week break. For a more detailed course outline with learning objectives, download the brochure.

Weeks 1-3: Palliative Care Social Workers: Exploring the Heart of Who We Are 

• Our History, Our Values, Our Path 
• Patient-Centered Teamwork: Roles and Responsibilities 
• Our Process 

Week 4: Break 

Weeks 5-7: Critical Social Work Skills in Palliative Care 

• Assessment and Planning Documentation 
• Foundational Counseling Skills 
• Symptom Management and Social Worker’s Role 

Week 8: Break 

Weeks 9-11: Enhance Counseling Skills 

• Best Practices Modules 
• Motivational Interviewing 
• Working with the Dying 

Week 12: Break 

Weeks 13-15: Valuing Diversity, Practicing Inclusivity 

• Cultural Competence for the Palliative Care Social Worker 
• Inclusion and Unintentional Exclusion 
• Working with the Gender and the LGBTQ Community 

Week 16-17: Break 

Weeks 18-20: Learning into Challenging Situations 

• Complex and Complicated Dynamics with Patents and Families 
• Personalities and Disorders 
• Trauma and its Impact on Families and Staff (Suicide, Disasters, Assaults, Multiple Victims) 

Week 21: Break 

Weeks 22-24: The Broken Heart – The Healing Heart 

• Grief, Bereavement and Mourning 
• Caring for ourselves and others 
• Religion, Spirituality, and the Existential Experience 

Week 25: Break 

Weeks 26-28: Integrity: Values, Ethics, and Practice 

• Language as an Ethical Tool 
• Bioethics and Practice Dilemmas 
• The Desire to Hasten Death and the Social Worker Response 

Week 29: Break 

Weeks 30-32: Social Work Leadership 

• Social Workers in Quality Improvement and Evidence-Informed 
• Social Workers as Educators 
• Social Workers in Leadership 

Completion and Refunds 

For instructor-led courses, to quality for a refund, you must request your cancellation in writing at least five (5) business days prior to the start of the course. If approved, there will be a $35 administrative fee charged to process the refund. There are no refunds for self-paced courses. 
 
Need More Information? See Our FAQ.