Master Social Worker

Fresenius Medical Care•Schenectady, NY

3d•$24 - $41

About The Position

The Master Social Worker provides psychosocial services to patients receiving in-center and, where applicable, home dialysis. Applying social work theory and accepted practice methods, the role works with the healthcare team to promote patients’ adjustment, rehabilitation, and quality of life. In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, the social worker educates and supports staff on the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of chronic kidney disease on patients and families. The position supports Fresenius Kidney Care quality indicators, outcomes, quality assessment and improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and quality-of-life initiatives. This is an entry-level MSW role.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work.
Must hold the state-required license and meet applicable state scope-of-practice board and licensure requirements.
0–2 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs that may affect rehabilitation and treatment outcomes as part of comprehensive patient assessment.
Collaborate with patients and the healthcare team on care planning and interventions to support rehabilitation, treatment goals, and quality of life.
Use patient education programs, social work methods and interventions, and quality-of-life measurement instruments to address barriers and treatment goals.
Monitor and intervene to help patients adjust to dialysis and achieve optimal psychosocial status and quality of life.
Provide supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, and goal-directed education and counseling for patients seeking transplant.
Inform patients and the care team about community resources and assist with referrals, including home health and vocational rehabilitation.
Maintain knowledge of local vocational and educational rehabilitation programs and assist patients with referrals and access.
Assess patient awareness of advance directives and assist with forms, information, and discussions with the care team and family or support persons as needed.
Participate with the physician and nurse in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions by patients and families.
Follow FMCNA social work and patient function policies, including documentation, and document interactions and interventions with patients and families.
Provide psychosocial support and social work interventions addressing non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns according to patient acuity.
Participate in monthly interdisciplinary quality review meetings and report on adherence indicators, missed or shortened treatments, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery.
Assess patients’ kidney disease knowledge and barriers to treatment adherence; coordinate tailored education with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
Provide information about treatment modalities and facilitate transplant referrals and waitlist management in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
Educate patients and families about psychosocial issues related to ESRD and available support services.
Review patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information, and facility policies with patients or their representatives.
Collaborate with the team on quality assessment and improvement activities.
At admission, review patient rights and responsibilities, grievance procedures and important numbers, the non-discrimination policy, and DNR statement when applicable, and address immediate concerns.
Support the referral and admission process and patient scheduling to promote adherence and adjustment.
Interview patients requesting discharge to identify underlying concerns, such as hospice transfer, relocation, or dissatisfaction, and share those concerns with operational leadership.
Liaise with insurance coordinators to address patient insurance issues and educate patients about dialysis payment sources and assistance programs.
Notify insurance coordinators of patient status changes that affect insurance, such as transplantation, discharge, loss of coverage, or extended travel.
Refer patients to the patient billing solutions department with questions or concerns about treatment-related bills.
Assist with interviewing and hiring decisions for new personnel when requested by the social work manager or senior manager.
Work with administrative support staff to keep patient resource lists, such as transportation resources, up to date.
Provide staff training on psychosocial topics as needed and participate in weekly team huddles, discussing urgent patient issues with staff.
Adhere to caseload guidelines based on state regulatory requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned.