Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care•Noblesville, IN

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to patients receiving in-center and, where applicable, home dialysis. Applies social work theory and accepted practice methods to support positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and quality of life. Works with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to help staff understand the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of chronic kidney disease on patients and families. Supports quality indicators, patient satisfaction and quality-of-life outcomes, quality assessment and improvement activities, and process improvement. This is an entry-level MSW role. The social worker assesses patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs; contributes to individualized care planning; and provides counseling, education, referrals, and social work interventions within the scope of clinical training and state licensure. The role supports patients’ adjustment to dialysis, treatment adherence, transplant referral and waitlist management, advance-care planning, continuity of care, and access to community, vocational, insurance, and financial resources. The social worker documents services and participates in quality reviews and team activities. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. Travel is required when covering multiple facilities. The role requires a Master of Social Work and an appropriate state temporary or provisional social work credential, where required. The employee must obtain the state licensure needed to work independently without supervision within two years or as required by state guidelines. Related experience of 0–2 years is stated.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work.
State temporary license, Registered Social Worker Clinical Intern credential, associated social work license, or provisional LCSW license, if required by the state.
Obtain the state licensure necessary to work independently without supervision within the first two years or as required by state guidelines.
0–2 years of related experience.
Ability to provide services within the scope of clinical training and state licensure.
Travel when working across multiple facilities.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs that may affect rehabilitation and treatment outcomes.
Participate in interdisciplinary care planning with patients and the healthcare team to identify interventions supporting treatment goals and quality of life.
Use patient education programs, social work methods and interventions, and quality-of-life measures to address barriers to care.
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 license, including education and goal-directed counseling for patients seeking transplant.
Provide information and referrals to community resources, including home health and vocational rehabilitation services.
Maintain knowledge of local vocational and educational rehabilitation programs and assist patients with referrals and access.
Assess patients’ awareness of advance directives, assist with access to forms and information, and facilitate discussions when needed.
Participate with the physician and nurse in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions by patients and families.
Follow social work and patient-function policies, including documentation requirements; document interactions and interventions with patients and families.
Provide psychosocial support and social work interventions addressing non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns according to patient acuity.
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; tailor education to learning styles, communication barriers, and needs.
Provide information about treatment modalities and ongoing education about ESRD-related psychosocial issues and available support services.
Facilitate transplant referrals and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on transplant waitlist management.
Review patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information, and facility policies with patients or their representatives.
Support patient admission and continuity of care by reviewing required handouts and policies and addressing immediate needs or concerns.
Support the clinic with referral and admission processes and patient scheduling 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 educate patients about dialysis payment and assistance programs.
Notify the Insurance Coordinator of patient status changes that may affect insurance, including transplantation, discharge, loss of coverage, or extended travel.
Refer patients to the patient billing solutions department for questions or concerns about treatment-related bills.
Assist with interviewing and hiring 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 work under appropriate supervision where required.
Perform other related duties as assigned.