Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care • Webster, MA

7d

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to patients treated by the facility, including in-center and home dialysis patients where applicable, using social work theory and accepted methods of social work practice. Works with the healthcare team to promote patients’ positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and quality of life, and supports staff in understanding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of chronic kidney disease on patients and families. Supports quality indicators, 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, participates in care planning, provides counseling and education within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, and helps patients connect with community, vocational, educational, transplant, and other support resources. The role also contributes to quality reviews, patient admission and continuity of care, insurance and financial assistance coordination, staff education, and team activities. Travel may be required for multiple facilities or home visits, where applicable.

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 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, focused interventions, and quality-of-life measurement instruments to address barriers and support treatment goals.
• Monitor patients and provide interventions to support adjustment to dialysis and optimal psychosocial status and quality of life.
• Provide supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure.
• Provide education and goal-directed counseling to patients seeking transplant.
• Help patients and the team access community resources, including home health services 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 information, forms, 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 Policy and Measuring Patient Physical and Mental Function Policy, including documentation requirements.
• Document interactions and interventions provided to patients and/or families.
• Provide psychosocial support and focused social work interventions addressing non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns according to acuity.
• Participate in monthly interdisciplinary quality review meetings and report on adherence indicators, missed and shortened treatments, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery.
• Assess patient knowledge of kidney disease and barriers to treatment adherence; tailor education 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 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 policies with patients and address immediate needs or concerns.
• Support the referral and admission process, including scheduling needs that promote adherence and adjustment.
• Interview patients requesting discharge to identify concerns or causes and communicate them to operational leadership.
• Liaise with Insurance Coordinators to address patient insurance issues and educate patients about dialysis payment sources and entitlement programs.
• Notify the Insurance Coordinator of patient status changes that may affect insurance, such as transplantation, discharge, loss of coverage, or extended travel.
• Refer patients to the patient billing solutions department for treatment-bill questions or concerns.
• Assist with interviewing and hiring decisions for new personnel when requested by the SW Manager or Senior Manager.
• Work with administrative support staff to keep patient resource lists updated, including transportation resources.
• 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