Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care•Liverpool, NY

2d•$24 - $41•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to patients treated by the facility including in-center and home dialysis patients. Works with the health care team to promote positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and improved quality of life for patients. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to inform, educate, and support staff in understanding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on the patient and family. Supports the Fresenius Kidney Care (FKC) commitment to Quality Indicators and Outcomes, Quality Assessment and Improvement (QAI) Activities, and actively participates in process improvement activities. This is an entry-level MSW role.

Requirements

Masters in Social Work
Must have state-required license
Meets the applicable scope of practice board and licensure requirements in effect in the State in which they are employed
0 – 2 years’ related experience

Responsibilities

Assesses patients' psychosocial status, strengths, and areas of need that may affect rehabilitation and optimal treatment outcomes as part of the comprehensive patient assessment.
Participates in care planning in collaboration with the patient and healthcare team to identify effective interventions that will help the patient meet rehabilitation, treatment goals, and improve quality of life.
Utilizes FKC patient education programs, established social work theory and methods, social work focused interventions, and quality of life measurement instruments as part of assessment and care planning to address barriers and meet patient treatment goals.
Provides monitoring and interventions for the patient to adjust to dialysis and achieve optimal psychosocial status and quality of life.
Provides supportive counseling services to patients as permitted within the scope of their clinical training and state license.
Provides educational and goal-directed counseling to patients who are seeking transplant.
Provides information and assists the team and patient with referral to community resources (home health services, vocational rehabilitation, etc.) to facilitate optimal treatment outcomes.
Maintains current knowledge regarding local vocational/educational rehabilitation programs and assists patients with referral and access to vocational rehabilitation to enable them to remain employed, become employed, or receive education.
Assesses patient awareness of advance directives; assists with accessing advance directive forms/information and facilitates discussion of advance directive wishes, if necessary, with the healthcare team and the patient's family/support persons.
Participates in the discussion of patient DNR status in the facility to ensure patient and/or family understand and make an informed decision about their care.
Documents based on MSW interaction and interventions provided to patient and/or family.
Provides psychosocial support and/or Social Work Focused Interventions to address non-adherence, quality outcome, and quality of life concerns for all patients based on acuity level.
Participates in monthly Quality review meetings with the interdisciplinary team, reporting on quality indicators related to adherence, such as Missed and Shortened Treatments, Quality of Life Trends, and Service Recovery.
Assesses patient knowledge of kidney disease for barriers that may affect adherence to treatment. Works with patient, family, and health care team to provide education tailored to the patient’s learning style, communication barriers, and needs.
Provides appropriate information about all treatment modalities with other members of the interdisciplinary team.
Facilitates the transplant referral process and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team on transplant waitlist management.
Provides ongoing education to patient/family regarding psychosocial issues related to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and all support services that are available.
Reviews patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information (company and network) and other facilities policies with patient and/or the patients’ representative to ensure patients’ understanding of the rights and expectations of them.
Collaborates with the team on appropriate QAI activities.
Reviews Patient Rights and Responsibilities, Grievance Procedure & Important Numbers Handout, FKC Non-discrimination policy, DNR Statement (if applicable) and addresses any immediate needs/concerns.
Understands the referral and admission process and supports the clinic in regard to patient needs for scheduling to maximize adherence and adjustment.
Interviews the patient to identify root causes or concerns for discharge requests (i.e., transfer to hospice, relocation, dissatisfaction with services or staff) and shares causes/concerns with operational leadership.
Collaborates and functions as a liaison for patients with Insurance Coordinators to address issues related to insurance.
Provides information and education to patients about payment to dialysis (federal, state, commercial insurance, state renal programs, AKF HIPP, and entitlement programs) in collaboration with Insurance Coordinators.
Collaborates with the Insurance Coordinator on any changes to patient state that impacts insurance (e.g., transplantation, discharge, loss of coverage, or extended travel).
Refers patients to the patient billing solutions (PBS) department for questions/concerns regarding treatment-related bills.
Assists with the interview process and decision to hire new personnel if requested by SW Manager/Senior Manager.
Works with administrative support staff to maintain updated patient resource lists (e.g., maintain updated list of transportation resources).
Provides training to staff pertaining to psychosocial topics as needed.
Contributes and participates with weekly team huddles, discussing any urgent patient issues with staff.
Adheres to work-defined caseload guidelines based on state regulatory requirements.
Performs other related duties as assigned.