Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care•Noblesville, IN

About The Position

The Master Social Worker provides psychosocial services to patients treated by the facility, including in-center and home dialysis patients when applicable. Using social work theory and accepted methods of practice, the role helps patients adjust to dialysis, supports rehabilitation, and promotes quality of life. The social worker collaborates with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to help staff understand the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of chronic kidney disease on patients and families, and supports quality goals and improvement activities. This is an entry-level MSW role with no supervisory responsibilities. The position assesses psychosocial needs and strengths, contributes to patient care planning, provides counseling and education within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, connects patients with community resources, and supports continuity of care. It also contributes to quality reviews, patient education, transplant referral and waitlist processes, insurance-related coordination, and staff support. Travel may be required for multiple facilities or home visits, if applicable.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work.
State-required license and compliance with applicable state scope-of-practice and licensure requirements.
0–2 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs that may affect rehabilitation and treatment outcomes.
Collaborate with patients and the interdisciplinary healthcare team on care planning and interventions to support treatment goals and quality of life.
Use patient education programs, social work methods, interventions, and quality-of-life measurement instruments in assessment and care planning.
Monitor patients’ adjustment to dialysis and provide psychosocial interventions and supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure.
Provide goal-directed counseling and education to patients seeking transplantation.
Connect patients and the care team with community resources, including home health services and vocational or educational rehabilitation programs.
Assess patient awareness of advance directives, assist with forms and information, and facilitate discussions of patients’ wishes when needed.
Participate with physicians and nurses in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions.
Document social work interactions and interventions in accordance with applicable policies.
Provide psychosocial support and focused interventions for non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns based on patient acuity.
Attend monthly interdisciplinary quality review meetings and report on adherence indicators, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery.
Assess patients’ knowledge of kidney disease and barriers to treatment adherence, and tailor education to patient learning styles and needs.
Provide information about treatment modalities and ongoing education about ESRD-related psychosocial issues and available support services.
Facilitate transplant referrals and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on transplant waitlist management.
Review patient rights, responsibilities, grievance information, and facility policies with patients or their representatives.
Support patient admission and continuity of care by reviewing required information, addressing immediate concerns, and supporting scheduling needs.
Interview patients requesting discharge to identify concerns and share them with operational leadership.
Coordinate with insurance staff and educate patients about dialysis payment options, coverage changes, and related resources.
Refer patients to the patient billing solutions department for treatment-bill questions or concerns.
Assist with interviewing and hiring decisions when requested by the Social Work Manager or Senior Manager.
Work with administrative support staff to maintain current patient resource lists.
Provide staff training on psychosocial topics as needed, participate in weekly team huddles, and discuss urgent patient issues with staff.
Follow caseload guidelines based on state regulatory requirements and perform other related duties as assigned.