Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care • Waldorf, MD

11d

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to patients receiving in-center and, where applicable, home dialysis. Works with the healthcare team to promote patients’ positive adjustment, rehabilitation, treatment outcomes, and quality of life. In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, educates and supports staff in understanding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral impacts of chronic kidney disease on patients and families. Supports Fresenius Kidney Care quality indicators, outcomes, assessment and improvement activities, and process improvements related to patient satisfaction and quality of life. This is an entry-level MSW role.

The Social Worker assesses patients’ psychosocial needs and strengths, participates in care planning, provides supportive and goal-directed counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, and connects patients with community and rehabilitation resources. The role also supports patient education, transplant referrals, advance-care planning discussions, continuity of care, insurance and financial assistance coordination, and staff education. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. 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, focused interventions, and quality-of-life measures in assessment and care planning.
• 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 resources, including home health services and vocational or educational rehabilitation programs.
• Assess awareness of advance directives and assist with forms, information, and 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, following applicable social work 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’ knowledge of kidney disease and tailor education to their learning style, communication barriers, and needs.
• Provide patients and families with information about treatment modalities, ESRD-related psychosocial issues, 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.
• Review admission materials and address immediate needs or concerns; support scheduling to promote adherence and adjustment.
• Interview patients requesting discharge to identify concerns and share them with operational leadership.
• Coordinate with Insurance Coordinators on insurance issues, patient education about dialysis payment and assistance programs, and changes affecting coverage.
• Refer treatment-billing questions or concerns to the Patient Billing Solutions department.
• Assist with personnel interviews and hiring decisions when requested by the Social Work Manager or Senior Manager.
• Maintain current patient resource lists with administrative support staff.
• 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 for bonus-eligible positions, depending on company and individual performance

What This Job Offers

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