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Shaded band: the middle 50% of 445 posted behavioral health roles in Iowa salarys. This role sits in the 52nd percentile.
About the role
Pay for this role is about 4% above the Iowa median for behavioral health roles.
The Hospice Social Worker serves as the psychosocial support expert on the interdisciplinary team, providing assessments, counseling, and resource navigation for patients and families. They also educate families on end-of-life care, grief strategies, and advance care planning while maintaining detailed documentation of psychosocial changes.
Overview Support Families. Guide Care. Shape End-of-Life Experiences. If you’re driven by compassion and committed to guiding others through serious illness and loss, we invite you to join our team as a Hospice Social Worker (MSW). We believe that holistic care includes emotional, social, and spiritual support. As a key member of the interdisciplinary team, you’ll help ensure patients and families receive the guidance and resources they need to navigate the hospice journey with dignity and peace of mind. As a Hospice Social Worker (MSW), You Will:
Serve as the psychosocial support expert on the interdisciplinary care team
Provide assessments and care planning based on the emotional, psychological, environmental, and cultural needs of patients and families
Deliver counseling, crisis intervention, and practical resource support aligned with each patient’s individualized plan of care
Work closely with patients, families, physicians, nurses, chaplains, and other care team members to support the emotional and social well-being of the patient-family unit
Educate families on hospice services, advance care planning, grief, and coping strategies
Assist with long-term planning, community referrals, and resource navigation when needed
Monitor and document psychosocial changes in the patient or family situation and recommend plan of care updates as appropriate
Uphold ethical standards and professional judgment in end-of-life care Compensation may vary within the salary range provided based on several factors including but not limited to a candidate’s location, experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications and department equity. Gentiva provides associates with a comprehensive benefits and total rewards package, of which base pay is just one piece. Salary Range – $66,610 - 83,265 Full Time Employee Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision Wellness Program and Resources 401k match PTO FMLA, ADA and other federal and state required leaves Short/Long Term Disability HSA Contribution Mileage or Fleet Car Program Cell Phone Reimbursement (for eligible roles) Short Term Incentive (for eligible roles) Tuition Reimbursement About You Qualifications – What You’ll Bring:
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program
Current licensure as required by the state of employment
Minimum of 1 year of experience as a Social Worker in a healthcare or hospice setting
Knowledge of the psychosocial dynamics of illness, grief, loss, and end-of-life care
Ability to provide empathetic support and maintain boundaries in emotionally intense situations
Strong communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and respect for diverse family systems Preferred Qualifications (Not Required):
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program and possess current state licensure. A minimum of 1 year of experience in a healthcare or hospice setting is required, with 3 to 5 years preferred.
postgraduate degree
Documentation
Communication skills
Patient education
Resource navigation
Crisis intervention
Ethical standards
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Care planning
Palliative care
Psychosocial assessment
Cultural sensitivity
End-of-life care
Grief counseling
Advance care planning
Benefits
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Medical insurance
Paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
Life insurance
Mileage reimbursement
Short term disability
401k match
Long term disability
Wellness program
Cell phone reimbursement
HSA contribution
FMLA
Continuing education units
ADA leave
Short term incentive
Fleet car program
Posting details
Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
2-5 yrs
Salary
$66,610 - $83,265/yr
Location
Ames, Iowa
Posted
Aug 21, 2026
Closes
Aug 21, 2027
Application
Employer website
3 to 5 years of experience as a Social Worker in hospice or healthcare
Experience supporting terminally ill patients and their families
Advanced grief counseling or palliative care training
Bilingual skills We Offer Benefits for All Hospice Associates (Full-Time & Per Diem):
Competitive Pay
401(k) with Company Match
Career Advancement Opportunities
National & Local Recognition Programs
Teammate Assistance Fund Additional Full-Time Benefits:
Company-paid Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits (Pet, Critical Illness, Accident, LTC) Ready to Join a Team That Cares? Apply today and bring your heart and your clinical expertise to a team that values whole-person care. Legalese This is a safety-sensitive position Employee must meet minimum requirements to be eligible for benefits Where applicable, employee must meet state specific requirements We are proud to be an EEO employer We maintain a drug-free workplace Location Heartland Hospice Our Company At Heartland Hospice, part of Gentiva, it is our privilege to offer compassionate care in the comfort of wherever our patients call home. We are a national leader in hospice care, palliative care, home health care, and advanced illness management, with nearly 600 locations and thousands of dedicated clinicians across 38 states. Our place is by the side of those who need us – from helping people recover from illness, injury, or surgery in the comfort of their homes to guiding patients and their families through the physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of a serious illness or terminal diagnosis. Our nationwide reach is powered by a family of trusted brands that include: Hospice care: Gentiva Hospice, Emerald Coast Hospice Care, Heartland Hospice, Hospice Plus, New Century Hospice, Regency SouthernCare, SouthernCare Hospice Services, SouthernCare New Beacon Palliative care: Empatia Palliative Care, Emerald Coast Palliative Care Home health care: Heartland Home Health Advanced illness management: Illumia Health With corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and providers delivering care across the U.S., we are proud to offer rewarding careers in a collaborative environment where inspiring achievements are recognized – and kindness is celebrated.
Market context
Hospice MSW roles in Iowa
Hospice social worker roles in Iowa often reflect steady demand in healthcare and end-of-life care settings, where employers look for MSW-prepared candidates with current state licensure and hospice or healthcare experience. These roles are competitive because they combine clinical support, care coordination, and family counseling, and the listed requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original job description to save you research time. If you are applying, review how your experience with patient support, discharge planning, or grief counseling matches the hospice setting before submitting.
