Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care•Dallas, TX

13d

About The Position

The Master Social Worker (MSW) provides psychosocial services to in-center and, where applicable, home dialysis patients. Using social work theory and accepted practice methods, the MSW works with the healthcare team to promote patients’ adjustment, rehabilitation, and quality of life. The role also helps staff understand the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of chronic kidney disease on patients and families, and supports quality indicators, quality assessment and improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and continuous improvement. This is an entry-level MSW role. The MSW assesses patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs; participates in collaborative care planning; provides support and counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure; and connects patients with community resources. The role supports patient education on kidney disease, treatment options, transplantation, advance directives, patient rights, and available support services. It also contributes to quality reviews, continuity-of-care processes, insurance and financial assistance coordination, and staff education and collaboration. The position requires a Master’s in Social Work and a state-required license, with compliance with the applicable scope-of-practice and licensure requirements in the state of employment. Related experience of 0–2 years is stated. Travel may be required for multiple facilities or home visits, if applicable. The role has no supervisory responsibilities.

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.
Ability to provide counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure.

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 rehabilitation, treatment goals, and quality of life.
Use patient education programs, social work methods, focused interventions, and quality-of-life measurement instruments in assessment and care planning.
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 education and counseling for patients seeking transplantation.
Inform patients and the care team about, and facilitate referrals to, community resources such as home health services and vocational rehabilitation.
Maintain knowledge of local vocational and educational rehabilitation programs and help patients access them.
Assess patient awareness of advance directives, provide forms and information, and facilitate discussions of advance directive wishes when 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 and patient physical and mental function policies, including documentation requirements; document interactions and interventions.
Provide psychosocial support and focused interventions addressing non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns.
Participate in monthly interdisciplinary quality review meetings and report on adherence, missed or shortened treatments, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery indicators.
Assess patients’ knowledge of kidney disease and barriers to treatment adherence; provide education tailored to learning style, communication barriers, and needs.
Provide information about treatment modalities and support the transplant referral process and 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 representatives.
Collaborate with the team on quality assessment and improvement activities.
At admission, review required patient information and policies and address immediate needs or concerns.
Support referral and admission processes, including scheduling considerations that may improve adherence and adjustment.
Interview patients requesting discharge to identify underlying causes or concerns and share them with operational leadership.
Liaise with insurance coordinators to address insurance issues and educate patients about dialysis payment and assistance programs.
Notify the insurance coordinator of patient changes that may affect coverage, such as transplantation, discharge, loss of coverage, or extended travel.
Refer patients to the patient billing solutions department for treatment-related 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 maintain current patient resource lists, 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 and perform other related duties as assigned.