Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care•Aberdeen, WA

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. 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 Fresenius Kidney Care's commitment to Quality Indicators and Outcomes, Quality Assessment and Improvement (QAI) Activities, patient satisfaction, and quality of life, actively participating in process improvement activities. This is an entry-level MSW role.

Requirements

Masters in Social Work
Must have state-required license
Meets the applicable scope of practice board and licensure requirements in effect in the State in which they are employed
0 – 2 years’ related experience

Responsibilities

Assesses patients' psychosocial status, strengths, and areas of need that may affect rehabilitation and optimal treatment outcomes as part of the comprehensive patient assessment.
Participates in care planning in collaboration with the patient and healthcare team to identify effective interventions.
Utilizes patient education programs, social work theory, methods, interventions, and quality of life measurement instruments for 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 as permitted within the scope of clinical training and state license.
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 forms/information and facilitates discussion of wishes.
Participates in the discussion of patient DNR status to ensure patient and/or family understand and make informed decisions.
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 ESRD and available support services.
Reviews patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information, and other facility policies with patient and/or 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 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 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.