Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care • Omak, WA

15d • $60,000 - $92,000

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to patients receiving in-center and home dialysis, as applicable, using social work theory and accepted social work practice methods. Works with the health care team to promote positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and improved quality of life. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to educate and support staff regarding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral impact of chronic kidney disease on patients and families. Supports Fresenius Kidney Care quality indicators, outcomes, quality assessment and improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and quality-of-life goals. This is an entry-level MSW role.

The Social Worker assesses patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs; participates in care planning; provides appropriate counseling and education; helps patients access community resources and rehabilitation programs; supports advance-care planning discussions; and documents interactions and interventions. The role also includes patient education about kidney disease, treatment options, transplant referrals, patient rights, and available support services. The Social Worker participates in quality reviews and improvement activities, supports patient admission and continuity of care, and works with insurance coordinators on coverage and financial assistance information. Additional duties include supporting staff training, maintaining patient resource lists, participating in team huddles, and performing other related duties as assigned. Travel may be required for multiple facilities or home visits, if applicable.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs that may affect rehabilitation and treatment outcomes.
• Participate in care planning with patients and the healthcare team to identify interventions supporting treatment goals and quality of life.
• Use patient education programs, social work methods, focused interventions, and quality-of-life measures in assessment and care planning.
• Monitor patients and provide interventions to support adjustment to dialysis and optimal psychosocial status.
• Provide supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure.
• Provide education and goal-directed counseling to patients seeking transplant.
• Refer patients to community resources, including home health and vocational rehabilitation services.
• Maintain knowledge of local vocational and educational rehabilitation programs and assist patients with referrals and access.
• Assess patient awareness of advance directives, provide access to forms and information, and facilitate discussions as needed.
• Participate with the physician and nurse in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions.
• Adhere to applicable social work and patient-function policies, including documentation requirements.
• Document interactions and interventions provided to patients and families.
• Provide psychosocial support and social work interventions addressing non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns.
• Participate in monthly interdisciplinary quality review meetings and report on adherence, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery indicators.
• Assess patient knowledge of kidney disease and collaborate on education tailored to the patient’s learning style, communication barriers, and needs.
• Provide information about treatment modalities with the interdisciplinary team.
• Facilitate transplant referrals and collaborate on transplant waitlist management.
• Educate patients and families about psychosocial issues related to ESRD and available support services.
• Review patient rights, responsibilities, grievance information, and facility policies with patients or their representatives.
• Collaborate with the team on quality assessment and improvement activities.
• Review admission materials and address immediate patient needs or concerns.
• Support referral and admission processes, including scheduling needs that promote adherence and adjustment.
• Interview patients requesting discharge to identify concerns and share them with operational leadership.
• Liaise with insurance coordinators to address patient insurance issues and provide information about dialysis payment and assistance programs.
• Inform insurance coordinators about patient status changes that may affect insurance.
• Refer patients to the patient billing solutions department for treatment-bill questions or concerns.
• Assist with interviewing and hiring decisions for personnel 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.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Potential performance-based bonuses, depending on company and individual performance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level