Fairview's mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve. We commit our skills and resources to the benefit of the whole person by providing the finest in health care while addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and their families. We further pledge to support the research and education efforts of our partner, the University of Minnesota, and its tradition of excellence.

Transitions and Life Choices (TLC) is the name of Fairview Health Services' palliative care program. The goals of the program are to deliver state of the art palliative care through specialized interdisciplinary teams while improving the quality of care for patients and their families throughout Fairview. The TLC staff work with the patient's physician and other members of the health care team to help relieve physical, spiritual and emotional suffering. Care is centered on the unique needs of each patient. It seeks to promote the highest quality of life and comfort while honoring the traditions and beliefs of the patient and family. Care to patients and families is provided in accordance with the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care (National Consensus Project, 2004).

In 2003, Fairview Health Services was designated one of six national Palliative Care Leadership Centers (PCLCs) by the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. These premier programs host site visits, including training and technical assistance for hospitals and other institutions seeking to start or strengthen their own palliative care programs. Funding was received from the JEHT Foundation with a match from the Fairview Foundation to continue this work.

The Palliative Consult Service at the University of Minnesota Medical Center provides a rich learning environment for a variety of learners in the medical professions. A medical fellowship program in Palliative Care began in July, 2008. Clinical rotations with the inpatient consult service are offered to medical students, residents, and fellows in other medical speciaties. Six week clinical rotations with the palliative care team are also offered to residents in the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program. Clinical preceptor relationships are offered to and are highly sought after by students in advance practice nursing programs. Master of Social Work interns are offered field placement with the service as well.

Palliative Care Clinical Social Work Fellowship Program Description

A postgraduate Clinical Social Work Fellowship in Palliative Care is offered through the Transitions and Life Choices program of the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. The fellowship is a training program that is part of a set of comprehensive palliative care clinical services and interdisciplinary professional training services. Supervised clinical social work experience will be provided on an inpatient interdisciplinary consultation service and in an outpatient palliative care clinic. Additional rotations are available based on the fellow's experience and areas of professional interest. The fellow will participate in palliative care team rounds and case discussions, teaching rounds, journal club, palliative care trainings, and department planning meetings. This program is designed to train leaders in palliative care clinical social work, with an emphasis on advocacy.

The fellowship is fulltime for a period of nine months. The second cycle begins in September,  2009, and ends in May, 2010. In addition to providing clinical services in both inpatient and outpatient settings, it is expected that the fellow will choose and develop a clinical project. The fellow is also expected to research and provide some training within the medical center on one or more palliative care related topics of interest to the fellow.

Training in clinical hypnosis will be provided to the fellow in early June through attendance at the annual training sponsored by the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis (prior to the start of the fellowship) if the fellow is able to attend. Clinical supervision in the fellowship will then include supervision of clinical hypnosis skill development.

Affiliations

The Palliative Care Social Work Fellowship Program at the University of Minnesota Medical Center has affiliations with both the University of Minnesota School of Social Work and the University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics. The University of Minnesota School of Social Work will provide an opportunity for the fellow to receive mentoring and consultation from a faculty member, as well as experience in supervising a small number of MSW students in learning research applications and working on the fellow's chosen clinical project. The University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics is engaged in research and teaching in bioethics, including a clinical bioethics course. The Center also houses an ethics consultation service, which will provide opportunities for the fellow's involvement and learning. Specific involvement and activities with both the School of Social Work and the Center for Bioethics will be tailored to the specific needs and interests of the fellow.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the fellowship the applicant must have a Masters in Social Work degree from an accredited school of social work. The applicant must demonstrate interest in the area of palliative care and an intent to use the fellowship training not only to increase her/his skills in clinical social work in the area of palliative care but also to contribute to the field and improve services to patients and their families. The fellow must be licensed to practice social work in the state of Minnesota (at the LGSW, LISW, or LICSW level) before the start of the fellowship.

Stipend

The nine month, fulltime fellowship includes a stipend of $18,750 and benefits, including Paid Time Off (accrued at 7.4 hours per two week full time pay period) and health insurance (toward which the fellow must contribute, amount depending on the option chosen).

Application Process and Timelines

Applicants must submit all application materials (see Palliative Care Social Work Fellowship Application) together in one packet by February 1, 2009. A small group of finalists will be asked to interview for the fellowship. A final decision for awarding the fellowship will be made by March 15, 2009.

For More Information

For questions or further information please contact the coordinator for the Palliative Care Clinical Social Work Fellowship and clinical supervisor for the program:

Dot Landis, ACSW, LICSW
University of Minnesota Medical Center
MMC # 181
420 Delaware St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Telephone: 612-273-5893
Email: dlandis1@fairview.org