Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care • Chelmsford, MA

1d • $64,000 - $107,000

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to in-center and, where applicable, home dialysis patients using social work theory and accepted methods of practice. Works with the healthcare team to support patients’ adjustment, rehabilitation, treatment outcomes, and quality of life. Educates and supports staff regarding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of chronic kidney disease on patients and families. Participates in quality indicators, quality assessment and improvement activities, patient satisfaction efforts, and process improvement.

The role assesses patients’ psychosocial needs and strengths, contributes to care planning, provides supportive and goal-directed counseling within the scope of the employee’s training and state license, and connects patients with relevant community resources. It also supports patient education, transplant referral and waitlist management, advance-care planning discussions, admission and continuity-of-care processes, and insurance and financial assistance coordination. The Social Worker collaborates with the interdisciplinary team, contributes to staff education and team huddles, and documents patient and family interactions and interventions.

This is a part-time position working 24 hours per week. No prior dialysis experience is required; the role includes 12 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned Preceptor and Senior Social Worker. Massachusetts licensure as an LICSW or LCSW is required. One flexible remote day per month may be available after 90 days. Travel may be required if working across multiple facilities. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work.
• Massachusetts state-required license: LICSW or LCSW.
• 2–5 years of related experience.
• Ability to perform the responsibilities within the scope of clinical training and state licensure.

Nice To Haves

• Prior dialysis experience is not required.
• One flexible remote day per month may be available after 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs that may affect rehabilitation and treatment outcomes.
• Collaborate with patients and the 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 to address barriers and goals.
• Monitor patients’ adjustment to dialysis and provide interventions to support psychosocial status and quality of life.
• Provide supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, and goal-directed counseling for patients seeking transplant.
• Refer patients to community resources, including home health and vocational or educational rehabilitation services.
• Maintain knowledge of local vocational and educational rehabilitation resources and assist patients with access and referrals.
• Assess patients’ awareness of advance directives, assist with forms and information, and facilitate 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.
• Follow social work and patient physical and mental function policies, including documentation requirements.
• Document interactions and interventions provided to patients and/or families.
• Provide psychosocial support and focused interventions addressing non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns based on patient acuity.
• Attend 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; tailor education to 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 ESRD-related psychosocial issues and available support services.
• Review patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information, and facility policies with patients or representatives.
• Collaborate with the team on quality assessment and improvement activities.
• Review admission materials and address immediate patient needs or concerns.
• Support referral, admission, and scheduling processes to promote adherence and adjustment.
• Interview patients requesting discharge to identify underlying 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.
• Coordinate with Insurance Coordinators regarding patient status changes that may affect insurance coverage.
• Refer treatment-billing questions or concerns to the patient billing solutions department.
• Assist with interviews and hiring decisions for new 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
• 12 weeks of paid, structured training with an assigned Preceptor and Senior Social Worker
• Major holidays off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level