Every finding on record at Medcare Hospice Services, LLC

Based on record review and interview, the hospice failed to have a Social Worker available who is qualified under state law to practice clinical social work to conduct psychosocial assessments and provide counseling services as indicated to meet patients' and families' needs. --- 491.002 F.S. documents, "the practice of clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling by persons not qualified to practice such professions presents a danger to public health, safety, and welfare. 491.012 F.S. documents, "It is unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person to: ...Practice clinical social work in this state for compensation, unless the person holds a valid, active license to practice clinical social work issued pursuant to this chapter or is an intern registered pursuant to s. 491.0045." 491.003 F.S. documents "The definition of ";clinical social work" contained in this subsection includes all services offered directly to the general public or through organizations, whether public or private, and applies whether payment is requested or received for services rendered." and "The ";practice of clinical social work" is defined as the use of scientific and applied knowledge, theories, and methods for the purpose of describing, preventing, evaluating, and treating individual, couple, marital, family, or group behavior, based on the person-in-situation perspective of psychosocial development, normal and abnormal behavior, psychopathology, unconscious motivation, interpersonal relationships, environmental stress, differential assessment, differential planning, and data gathering. The purpose of such services is the prevention and treatment of undesired behavior and enhancement of mental health. The practice of clinical social work includes methods of a psychological nature used to evaluate, assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent emotional and mental disorders and dysfunctions (whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral), sexual dysfunction, behavioral disorders, alcoholism, and substance abuse. The practice of clinical social work includes, but is not limited to, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and sex therapy. The practice of clinical social work also includes counseling, behavior modification, consultation, client-centered advocacy, crisis intervention, and the provision of needed information and education to clients, when using methods of a psychological nature to evaluate, assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent emotional and mental disorders and dysfunctions (whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral), sexual dysfunction, behavioral disorders, alcoholism, or substance abuse." Review of the staff roster provided by the Administrator and form CMS-417 reveals the hospice has one Social Worker, Staff A and does not provide Social Work services by arrangements with any other providers. Search for Staff A on the Department of Health website reveals no entry for Staff A as either a licensed Social Worker or Registered Social Work Intern. Review of Staff A's employee file also revealed no evidence of a license or active Registered Social Work Internship. During interview with the Administrator on 12/12/24 at 5:30 PM, she denied awareness that a Social Worker must be licensed or a registered intern in Florida in order to do psychosocial assessments and counsel patients and families and expressed her belief this applied to diagnosing and hypnotherapy.