Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care•Lexington, KY

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to patients treated by the facility including in-center and home dialysis patients. Works with the health care team to promote positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and improved quality of life for patients. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to educate and support staff in understanding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on patients and families. Supports the FMCNA commitment to Quality Indicators and Outcomes and Quality Assessment and Improvement (QAI) Activities, including those related to patient satisfaction and quality of life, and actively participates in process improvement activities.

Requirements

Masters in Social Work
Must have state required license
2 – 5 years’ related experience

Responsibilities

Assesses patients' psychosocial status, strengths, and areas of need that may affect rehabilitation and optimal treatment outcomes.
Participates in care planning in collaboration with the patient and healthcare team to identify effective interventions.
Utilizes patient education programs, social work theory and methods, and quality of life measurement instruments as part of assessment and care planning.
Provides monitoring and interventions for patients to adjust to dialysis and achieve optimal psychosocial status and quality of life.
Provides supportive counseling services to patients.
Provides educational and goal-directed counseling to patients seeking transplant.
Provides information and assists the team and patient with referral to community resources.
Maintains current knowledge regarding local vocational/educational rehabilitation programs and assists patients with referral and access.
Assesses patient awareness of advance directives; assists with accessing advance directive forms/information and facilitates discussion of advance directive wishes.
Participates in the discussion of patient DNR status in the facility.
Documents based on MSW interaction and interventions provided to patient and/or family.
Provides psychosocial support and/or Social Work Focused Interventions to address non-adherence, quality outcome, and quality of life concerns.
Participates in monthly Quality review meetings with the interdisciplinary team.
Reports on quality indicators related to adherence, such as Missed and Shortened Treatments, Quality of Life Trends, and Service Recovery.
Assesses patient knowledge of kidney disease for barriers that may affect adherence to treatment.
Works with patient, family, and health care team to provide education tailored to the patient’s learning style, communication barriers, and needs.
Provides appropriate information about all treatment modalities.
Facilitates the transplant referral process and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team on transplant waitlist management.
Provides ongoing education to patient/family regarding psychosocial issues related to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and all support services available.
Reviews patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information, and other facility policies with patient and/or the patient’s representative.
Collaborates with the team on appropriate QAI activities.
Reviews Patient Rights and Responsibilities, Grievance Procedure & Important Numbers Handout, FKC Non-discrimination policy, DNR Statement (if applicable) and addresses any immediate needs/concerns.
Understands the referral and admission process and supports the clinic in regard to patient needs for scheduling to maximize adherence and adjustment.
Interviews the patient to identify root causes or concerns for discharge requests and shares causes/concerns with operational leadership.
Collaborates and functions as a liaison for patients with Insurance Coordinators to address issues related to insurance.
Provides information and education to patients about payment to dialysis.
Collaborates with the Insurance Coordinator of any changes to patient state that impacts insurance.
Refers patients to the patient billing solutions (PBS) department for questions/concerns regarding treatment-related bills.
Assists with the interview process and decision to hire new personnel if requested by SW Manager/Senior Manager.
Works with administrative support staff to maintain updated patient resource lists.
Provides training to staff pertaining to psychosocial topics as needed.
Contributes and participates with weekly team huddles.
Discusses any urgent patient issues with staff.
Adheres to work defined caseload guidelines based on state regulatory requirements.
Performs other related duties as assigned.