Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care•Lafayette, LA

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to in-center and home dialysis patients, as applicable, using social work theory and accepted methods of practice. Works with the healthcare team to promote positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and improved quality of life. Educates and supports staff regarding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of chronic kidney disease on patients and families. Supports quality indicators, outcomes, quality assessment and improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and quality of life initiatives. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the Master Social Worker assesses patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs; participates in care planning; provides monitoring, supportive counseling, and goal-directed education; and helps patients access community and vocational resources. The role includes supporting transplant education and referrals, advance-care planning discussions, and informed decisions regarding DNR status. The Social Worker documents assessments and interventions in accordance with company policies. The position also addresses adherence and quality-of-life concerns, participates in monthly quality reviews, educates patients and families about kidney disease, treatment options, rights, and available support services, and helps coordinate admission and continuity of care. The Social Worker collaborates with insurance coordinators on coverage and payment resources, supports staff through training and team huddles, and performs other related duties as assigned. Travel may be required when multiple facilities are involved. The role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work.
Must have the state-required license.
2–5 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and areas of need 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 measures to address barriers to treatment goals.
Monitor patients’ adjustment to dialysis and provide supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure.
Provide education and goal-directed counseling to patients seeking transplantation; facilitate transplant referrals and collaborate on waitlist management.
Refer patients to community, home health, vocational rehabilitation, educational rehabilitation, and other resources as appropriate.
Assess awareness of advance directives, assist patients in accessing information and forms, and facilitate discussions with the healthcare team and family or support persons.
Participate with physicians and nurses in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions.
Document patient and family interactions and interventions according to applicable policies.
Provide psychosocial support and interventions addressing non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns.
Participate in monthly interdisciplinary quality reviews and report on adherence indicators, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery.
Assess patients’ kidney disease knowledge and barriers to treatment adherence; tailor education to their learning styles, communication barriers, and needs.
Provide information about treatment modalities, ESRD-related psychosocial issues, and available support services.
Review patient rights and responsibilities, grievance procedures, and facility policies with patients or representatives.
Participate in quality assessment and improvement activities.
Review patient rights, grievance information, non-discrimination policy, DNR statement when applicable, and immediate needs during admission.
Support the clinic’s referral and admission process, including scheduling considerations that promote adherence and adjustment.
Interview patients requesting discharge to identify concerns or root causes and share them with operational leadership.
Liaise with insurance coordinators on insurance issues and educate patients about dialysis payment and assistance programs.
Inform insurance coordinators of patient status changes that may affect coverage and refer billing questions to the patient billing solutions department.
Assist with interviewing and hiring decisions when requested by the Social Work Manager or Senior Manager.
Work with administrative support staff to keep patient resource lists current.
Provide staff training on psychosocial topics as needed, participate in weekly team huddles, and discuss urgent patient issues with staff.
Adhere to caseload guidelines based on state regulatory requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned.