Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care•Pueblo West, CO

1d•$26 - $43

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 of Human Behavior and accepted social work practices. Works with the healthcare team to promote patients’ positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and quality of life. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to educate and support staff regarding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of Chronic Kidney Disease on patients and families. Supports quality indicators, outcomes, quality assessment and improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and quality-of-life initiatives. The role assesses patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs; participates in care planning; provides supportive and goal-directed counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure; helps patients access community and vocational resources; and supports education, treatment adherence, transplant referral, advance-care planning, and continuity of care. The social worker also collaborates on insurance and financial assistance matters, contributes to staff training and team activities, and documents interactions and interventions in accordance with company policies. Travel is required if the position serves multiple facilities. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. Candidates must have a Master’s in Social Work, a state-required license, and 2–5 years of related experience. The stated hourly rate is $26–$43, dependent on work location and qualifications.

Requirements

Master’s in Social Work.
State-required license.
2–5 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs that may affect rehabilitation and treatment outcomes.
Participate in patient care planning with patients and the healthcare team to identify effective interventions and support 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 and provide interventions to support adjustment to dialysis and optimal psychosocial status and quality of life.
Provide supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, as well as educational and goal-directed counseling for patients seeking transplant.
Refer patients to community resources, including home health services and vocational rehabilitation, and help them access those resources.
Maintain knowledge of local vocational and educational rehabilitation programs and assist patients with referrals and access.
Assess patient awareness of advance directives and assist with forms, information, and discussions with the healthcare team and family or support persons as appropriate.
Participate with the physician and nurse in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions by patients and families.
Follow company 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 according to patient acuity.
Participate in monthly interdisciplinary quality reviews and report on adherence indicators, missed or shortened treatments, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery.
Assess patients’ kidney-disease knowledge and barriers to treatment adherence; tailor education to learning style, communication barriers, and needs.
Provide information about treatment modalities and ongoing education about psychosocial issues related to ESRD 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 representatives.
Collaborate with the team on quality assessment and improvement activities.
Review admission materials and address immediate patient needs or concerns.
Support the referral and admission process, including scheduling needs that may affect 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 options and assistance programs.
Coordinate with insurance staff regarding patient status changes that may affect insurance; refer treatment-billing questions to the patient billing solutions department.
Assist with personnel interviews and hiring decisions when requested by a 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, discussing urgent patient issues.
Follow caseload guidelines based on state regulatory requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned.