Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care•Oakland, CA

8d•$71,000 - $101,000

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to patients treated by the facility, including in-center and home dialysis patients when applicable, using social work theory and accepted social work practices. Works with the healthcare team to promote positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and improved quality of life. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to inform, educate, and support staff in understanding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral impact of chronic kidney disease on patients and families. Supports Fresenius Kidney Care quality indicators, outcomes, quality assessment and improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement. This is an entry-level MSW role. The social worker assesses patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs; contributes to care planning; provides supportive and goal-directed counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure; and helps patients access community, vocational, educational, transplant, and other support resources. The role includes patient and family education, documentation, support with advance-directive and DNR discussions, and participation in quality reviews and improvement activities. The position also supports patient admission and continuity of care, including reviewing patient rights and policies, identifying concerns related to discharge requests, and coordinating with insurance staff regarding coverage and financial assistance. The social worker contributes to staff education and team huddles, maintains patient resource lists, and follows caseload guidelines based on state regulations. Travel may be required for multiple facilities or home visits, when applicable.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work.
State-required license.
Meets 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.
Collaborate with patients and the healthcare team on care planning and interventions to support treatment goals and quality of life.
Use patient education programs, social work methods, interventions, and quality-of-life measures 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 educational counseling to patients seeking transplant.
Refer patients to community resources, including home health and vocational rehabilitation, and assist with access to those resources.
Maintain knowledge of local vocational and educational rehabilitation programs and assist patients with referrals.
Assess awareness of advance directives, provide forms and information, and facilitate discussions with patients, families, and the healthcare team as needed.
Participate with physicians and nurses in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions.
Follow FMCNA social work and patient function measurement policies, including documentation requirements.
Document social work interactions and interventions provided to patients and families.
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 indicators, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery.
Assess patients’ kidney-disease knowledge and barriers to treatment adherence, and provide tailored education with the patient, family, and healthcare team.
Provide information about treatment modalities and support transplant referrals and waitlist management with the interdisciplinary team.
Educate patients and families about psychosocial issues related to ESRD and available support services.
Review patient rights, 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 address immediate needs or concerns.
Support referral and admission processes, including scheduling considerations that may promote adherence and adjustment.
Interview patients requesting discharge to identify underlying concerns and share them with operational leadership.
Coordinate with insurance coordinators to address patient insurance issues and explain dialysis payment and assistance programs.
Refer treatment-billing questions or concerns to the patient billing solutions department.
Assist with interviews and hiring decisions when requested by the social work manager or senior manager.
Work with administrative support staff to keep patient resource lists current.
Provide staff training on psychosocial topics as needed and participate in weekly team huddles.
Discuss urgent patient issues with staff and adhere to caseload guidelines based on state regulatory requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned.