Palliative Care Training for Master’s Prepared Social Workers

Post-MSW Palliative Care Certificate

Social workers play a key role in improving the individual experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing the costs of care for populations. Yet in many health care settings, social work services are undervalued and at times, understaffed.

Register for the brochure on this course by clicking HERE to sign up.

Social workers trained in the specialty of palliative care bring extra value to employers, as they implement strategies that can:

• Implement goals of care conversations, resulting in improved satisfaction and lower healthcare costs
• Facilitate seamless care transitions by educating the caregivers, establishing relationships with home and community-based services, and monitor patient and family caregiver distress
• Decrease unwanted and unnecessary ER visits and hospital (re)admissions through advance care planning and proactive care planning to alleviate psychosocial distress and suffering
• Reduce Medicare spending per beneficiary by clarifying patient goals and improving communication between the patient, family caregiver, and care providers

“We have a group of five social workers that are very cohesive, happy working together, and doing great work. Our team wouldn’t be whole without them, and the (Post-MSW Palliative Care Certificate) course has been helpful to pull them together and help them function at the top of their license.”

Bill Mitchell, MD, Director of Palliative Care at UC San Diego Health

• Video Transcript

  So, my name’s Bill Mitchell. I’m the director of palliative care at UCC San Diego. And on the recommendation of one of our social workers, the first social worker on our team, we have asked each additional social worker joining our team to take the post MSW social worker course. Also, it was an I think a way to get all of our new social workers speaking the same language and on the same page. That as we hire folks from around town and from around the country with different backgrounds, experiences, coming from
  different organizations. There was a little flavor, different flair approach person to person end. Not that we want — not that we want clones, but we want people to understand each other, to be able to cover for each other, to pick up where another one left off with a patient as they transition from hospital to a clinic or whatnot.

  And to be documenting in a similar way so that this care becomes seamless and — And so, the post MSW gave you all of that?

  Yeah. Yeah, it’s been very helpful. I’m not a social worker so it’s hard for me to —

  But you’ve seen the results on your team?

  My team comes back reporting. That has been very helpful. And we have a group of five social workers that are very cohesive happy working together and to create work. Our team wouldn’t be whole without them. And the course has been helpful to pull them together and help them function at it top of their license. So beautiful.

  So, summarize for me if you would. What do you think the top two or three benefits of doing that post MSW program for a social worker would be?

  Well, so I’m answering that question as an outsider.

  As an observer.

  As an observer.

  Observer of the results.

  There we go.

  Yeah. A common vocabulary, added knowledge, information and skills as they relate to patients are probably the top two items that I have seen come out of the course.

  And what do you think just in general, what’s the future of palliative care with all the changes going on in healthcare right now, how does palliative care fit in?

  We’re going to be busy. We have a lot of work to do. There’s a lot of unmet need. We probably ever won’t reach all of that need. There’s so much out there and so every incremental step we can take, every increase, every added expert to the work force is vital.

“Every month there were specific assignments and topics 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 the social worker in that process.”

Anne Front, MA, LMFT

• 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.

The role of the social worker is central to palliative care’s goal of providing compassionate, patient and family-centered care that relieves the suffering and improves quality of life for those with serious or chronic illness.

“There was a strong emphasis on leadership and our ability to claim leadership within our systems wherever we worked.”

Sandra Shadley LCSW, LMFT

• Video Transcript

  Hello, my name is Sandra Shadley, and I had the distinct privilege of participating in the post-MSW certificate program, and I strongly encourage anyone who has any interest in exploring this program to do so. I can’t really say enough about the value of the course. It’s worth the time, it’s worth the energy, it’s worth the money. The strong support provided by not only the course instructors, but also the other students from around the country and around the world, was remarkable.

  There was a strong emphasis on leadership, and our ability to claim leadership within our systems wherever we work. And, I always had a sense of some projects and some opportunities I might have available there, secretly thought I could do some things that the course really helped me see that I could do, such a developing an education program, communication skills education program for medical residents, which was my final project, and is now in operation.

  So, it’s a very, very deeply enriching program in that way, and I think is building the future for social work and palliative care.

  So, please do consider this program, as not only a wonderful professional experience, but also a deeply enriching personal experience.

The CSU Institute for Palliative Care’s Post-MSW Palliative Care Social Work Certificate Program is designed to provide master’s prepared social workers with the knowledge and skills to be successful working in a palliative care, interprofessional environment whether that is in a hospital, hospice or other setting.

I would say that it was the best continuing education I have had in 20 plus years. It is a lot of work. And I learned a lot. It was not a simple ‘cruise through’ class at all but the wealth of expertise and clinical knowledge has added so much richness to my clinical practiceRecent Student

This 8-month online course offers a robust and intense learning experience and includes content on:

• Getting out of the “subconscious” and giving intention to thinking critically about what we do, how we do it and why
• Positioning social workers to serve as role models for best practices in palliative care
• Social workers utilizing “teaching and coaching” as a way to demonstrate leadership
• Moving away from being reactive to the many changes in healthcare and taking a more intentional role in positive problem solving

Another Reason why You Should Consider This Powerful Course!

• Video Transcript

  I’m passionate about people not having pain, people not having to suffer, people being able to choose what they want, and what they don’t want. I want to be an advocate for that. Children aren’t treated like young adults in a hospital setting.

  There’s pediatric nurses and doctors. Palliative care, working with the seriously ill, is also a unique and specialized field. What the field is looking for right now is people that are trained, people that can train others in palliative care. There’s a lot of choices in education, and I chose the Cal State University Institute for Palliative Care. It just fits in nicely to my lifestyle, as far as being able to be home, take the courses online. I’m driven. I want to know, I want to learn more, especially about the field that I love. As social workers become leaders in the field of palliative care, having that education, that certificate, is important.

  What I love about being a social worker is being able to meet with families and patients, just being there at really important times in patient and families’ lives. In palliative care, I think it’s important to remember that our focus is really on living. Being able to offer someone relief from their symptoms, relief from pain, allows people to better interact with their family, to better interact with their friends. So, me seeing someone that’s been suffering from pain, get appropriate care, get appropriate treatment, I just, it’s wonderful.

  I love that.

Required Course Textbook

• The Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work by Terry Altilio and Shirley Otis-Green

Fast Facts

Begins:	May 2, 2018
Lasts:	8 months
Is taught:	Completely online, available 24/7
Offers:	144 Continuing Education Hours
Costs:	$2,530
Prerequisites:	A completed MSW degree
Required textbook is:	The Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work by Terry Altilio and Shirley Otis-Green (Available on Amazon)
Is taught by:	National social work leaders
Is ideal for:	MSWs working in palliative care, hospice or related fields
Is open to:	Social workers with a baccalaureate degree and a Master of Social Work degree from institutions accredited by a regional accrediting association
Detailed FAQ:	Click HERE.
Cancellation Policy:	Refunds will only be considered for cancellations when requested in writing at least five (5) business days prior to the start date of the course. If approved, there will be a $35 administrative fee charged to process the refund. Click here to send us an email.

Course Information

Program/Course Outline

“All of this information is causing me to apply critical thinking to every aspect of my work as a medical social worker and my commitment to Palliative Care. Thank you so much! Wish I could evaluate this program Excellent x10!” 

Recent Student

All classes follow a three weeks on, one week off format. Participants will be expected to spend between 6 to 8 hours weekly on course related activities during the three “on” weeks.

Level 1: 2 Modules

Level 1 Module 1: Palliative Care Social Workers: Exploring the Heart of Who We Are

• Week 1: Our History, Our Values, Our Path
• Week 2: The Social Worker – Team Member, Team Leader and Safari Guide Assuring a Focus on Person-Centered Care
• Week 3: The Role of the Social Worker in Pain Management and Spiritual Care – We Are Right There With You!

Level 1 Module 2: Those Often Overlooked yet Critical Skills

• Week 1: Exposing Urban Myths with Critical Thinking
• Week 2: Is This the Right Path? Screening and Assessment
• Week 3: Going Beyond Emotional Support – Motivational Interviewing and Care Planning

Level 2: Advanced Skill Development

Level 2 Module 3: Moving Beyond “Eclectic”: Essential Skills for Palliative Care Social Work Practice

• Week 1: Informed by Research: New Perspectives on Grief and Loss
• Week 2: Doing Nothing is Motivated by Something – Motivational Interviewing Part II
• Week 3: Utilizing Clinical Techniques within Our Scope of Practice – CBT, Mindfulness, etc.

Level 2 Module 4: Challenges and Opportunities: Working with Challenging Situations

• Week 1: Working with Challenging Systems – Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Families
• Week 2: Is it Just a Personality Conflict? Personalities and Disorders
• Week 3: “The Good Death?” Taking a Proactive Approach with Dying and Death

Level 2 Module 5: What it Means to be Inclusive

• Week 1: “Underserved Populations” – Investigating Diversity and Inclusion
• Week 2: Population Specific Best Practices
• Week 3: The Often Misunderstood – Gender, LGBTQ, Non-Religious

Level 2 Module 6: When Both Yes and No Seem Wrong: Ethics in Palliative Care

• Week 1: Get Some Help! Resolving Ethical Dilemmas and Boundaries
• Week 2: Under the Microscope – Examining Palliative Sedation, Suicide, Assisted Suicide, “Self-Deliverance” and Choice
• Week 3: “What did you say!?”: Turning Our Attention to Language

Level 2 Module 7: Putting it All Together: About Dying and Death

• Week 1: About Dying and Death Part 1
• Week 2: About Dying and Death Part 2
• Week 3: Self-Care: Care for Us Caregivers

Level 3: Social Work Leadership: Putting it All Together

Level 3 Module 8: Social Work Leadership

• Week 1: Final Projects – Implementation and Review
• Week 2: Enhancing Professionalism – Social Workers as Leaders
• Week 3: Your Plan: Designing the Future 

Course Information

Meet the Faculty

Sandy Jones McClintic, LCSW, ACHP-SW is the Social Work Section Chair for the National Council of Hospice and Palliative Care Professionals (NCHPP) of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and a social worker with Hospice of Arizona.

Chris Onderdonk, LCSW is a Clinical Social Worker with the Doris A. Howell Service at the University of California San Diego. He has over 10 years of experience in hospice and palliative care working across the continuum in hospice, bereavement, and inpatient palliative care. Chris has extensive experience training and mentoring social workers in the palliative care field and he has presented at both local and national conferences.

Course Information